How to Parent Your Only Child Without Guilt

"Does an only child usually feel lonely? Does an only child lack social skills? Does an only child have more emotional problems? These three questions come up often from my patients, because although most Americans say they think two or more children is ideal, many are, or will be, raising an only child instead. 1 Sometimes it's because of fertility problems, or because they started their family later in life and are unlikely to have more than one child naturally."

"Sometimes it's because the cost of raising a child is high for them, so they are "one and done." But even if money or age is not a problem, and even if they choose to have a single child, many parents still worry because they believe the answer to each of the questions above is "yes." They tell me they feel guilty or selfish if they don't, or can't, provide a sibling for their only child."

Only children are often not lonely and frequently form sibling-like bonds with cousins, classmates, and neighborhood friends. Only children may have more friends than children from larger families because they are motivated to seek new friendships. Only children can excel in social skills and benefit from reduced sibling rivalry. Emotional flourishing in only children can appear as independence and resilience. Many families choose a single child for reasons such as fertility issues, age, or cost. Parental worry about loneliness or emotional problems often stems from negative only-child myths rather than typical child outcomes.

Read at Psychology Today