The Joys And Problems Of Raising An Only Child
Surely parenting is parenting whether you are raising an only child or half a dozen children. Well, not quite.
Fifty years ago about 10% of households in the United States were single child households and the perception of the only child was that he or she was often spoiled, lonely and socially inept. Today that figure has more than doubled to over 14 million children and the perception of the only child has changed markedly.
Only child parenting is immensely rewarding and there are many advantages to being able to focus your attention on the development of just one child. Most of us lead extremely busy lives these days and it is not always easy to devote the time that we would like to our family, but things are certainly a bit easier with just a single child. Bringing up children can also be a very expensive business and you may well be able to provide an only child with many things which you simply could not afford if you were trying to provide for several children.
Perhaps the most obvious advantage that you can often give an only child is that of a good education. Private education is horrendously expensive today and, while many families can afford to find the funds necessary to educate one child, meeting the cost of education for two or more children is often simply out of reach.
But there are of course two sides to the coin and there are also a few difficulties of only child parenting.
As human beings we are naturally social animals and many of the skills which we need in life are learnt through interaction with others and, in particular, from others within our own age group. This means there is tremendous value to be gained from the lessons which we learn from our brothers and sisters and from their experiences. It also means that we benefit from being a part of their wider circle of friends.
This element is of course missing in the one child family and, while the added attention from a loving and caring parent is certainly to be welcomed, it is no substitute for the lessons we can learn from a wider group of children within our own age bracket.
This brings with it special problems for only child parents so, throughout the pages of this website, we will not only try to look at the general problems presented by parenting, but will also examine the special difficulties that face those coping with only child parenting.
Recommended books from
For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid
by Shaunti Feldhahn, Lisa A. Rice
Amazon Price: $6.00
Customer Review: We are doing the book in our small group. I don't like the repetition through out but I do like the content. We are also using the study guide, but you could do without it. Just discuss the chapters.
The Future of Your Only Child: How to Guide Your Child to a Happy and Success...
by Carl E. Pickhardt Ph.D.
Amazon Price: $10.20
Customer Review: I wanted a book to give me some idea of what it might be like to raise an only child without being bias. This book does exactly that. It address potential challenges and resolutions.
Parenting an Only Child: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Your One and Only
by Susan Newman Ph.D.
Amazon Price: $10.07
Customer Review: Sadly, this has got to be the most boring, poorly written, least inspired, parenting book I have yet to come across. At least 80% of the writing in this book consists of quotes from parents the author interviewed at the playground-- her friends and relatives, I suspect. If you're looking for insightful comments or suggestions on raising your only c...
Being an only? It's not so lonely - Sioux Falls Argus Leader
31 Jul 2010 at 2:08am
Being an only? It's not so lonely
Sioux Falls Argus Leader
For starters, the notion that onlies are maladjusted is a myth, says Newman, a New Jersey parenting expert and author of "Parenting an Only Child. ...
and more »
Do firstborns have more advantages? - Knoxville News Sentinel
30 Jul 2010 at 11:03pm
Do firstborns have more advantages?
Knoxville News Sentinel
Research does not confirm the stereotypical "spoiled brat" image of an only child. Studies have uncovered just a few differences between only children and ...
and more »
Ask the LifeQuake? Doctor Dr. Toni Galardi - vision magazine
30 Jul 2010 at 5:32pm
Ask the LifeQuake? Doctor Dr. Toni Galardi
vision magazine
I am a 28-year-old aesthetician, have been going to school part-time for several years and am an only child to immigrant parents. My grandmother is the only ...
Angelina Jolie in Korea: Praises Brad Pitt for Parenting Skills! - Zacquisha
29 Jul 2010 at 11:59pm
Zacquisha
Angelina Jolie in Korea: Praises Brad Pitt for Parenting Skills!
Zacquisha
According to Angelina, Brad has very good parenting skills. What could be the nationality of the next child they would feel like adopting? Korean? Why not? ...
and mo...
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