Survivalist Pro
Photo by Mikhail Nilov Pexels Logo Photo: Mikhail Nilov

Will my child be lonely as an only child?

MYTH: Only children are lonely. FACT: Only children can have as many friends as their peers with siblings do.

What is self-actualization examples?
What is self-actualization examples?

(Maslow, 1943). Extrapolating from this quote, we can see self-actualization in examples like: An artist who has never made a profit on his art,...

Read More »
What age do most people find their best friend?
What age do most people find their best friend?

According to “The Friendship Report,” a global study commissioned by Snapchat in 2019, the average age at which we meet our best friends is 21—a...

Read More »

This outdated image may come from a questionable study conducted in the late 1800's by Granville Stanley Hall, which took hold in the culture of the time and its ideas have stayed with us since. New research tells us otherwise. It seems we might be able to discard these old ideas and consider the possibility that only children can actually be healthy and well-adjusted. We now know that there are no appreciable differences between only children and those with siblings. In fact, only children, similar to firstborns and those with one sibling, actually tend to score higher on measures of intelligence and achievement (Sandler, 2010). The number of families with only one child has almost doubled since the early 1960's. Today, almost one in five U.S. families has one child. The number of children in a family surely impacts a child's experience, but in and of itself, is not negative or positive. And yet, many families struggle with the decision on family size. Some have one child not by choice, but by circumstance.

A few persistent myths are described below countered by more realistic portrayals.

Only children are spoiled or selfish. FACT: Only children can be as thoughtful about others as any child. The thought is that if all your resources go into one child, he or she will become used to that and expect special treatment. Resources aren't "diluted" with only one child. Of course, we as parents of only children need to be thoughtful and not overdo the giving of material possessions, but there is no such thing as too much attention. All children flourish under the caring attention of invested adults and additional attention is in a child's best interest. Only children struggle making friends and relate better to adults. FACT: Only children can have wonderful relationships with people of all ages. Certainly as parents of only children, we need to be more deliberate about providing our child with opportunities to interact with peers; however, this can happen at child care, school, through cousins, friends in the neighborhood, and so on. Home isn't the only place that children learn to develop peer relationships. Research shows that only children have as many friends as their peers with siblings. Furthermore, many of us know from our own experiences, or that of others, that having siblings doesn't automatically guarantee a blissful childhood. Many siblings tell stories of older brothers or sisters picking on them and making their life challenging.

Who is the world sniper king?
Who is the world sniper king?

There is absolutely no one better than B2K himself when it comes to killing enemies with snipers. He is a specialist when it comes to AWM and calls...

Read More »
What should I stock up on 2022?
What should I stock up on 2022?

If you are wondering what food to buy before inflation hits more, some of the best food items to stockpile include: Peanut butter. Pasta. Canned...

Read More »

Only children are lonely. FACT: Only children can have as many friends as their peers with siblings do. Similar to the previous myth, we parents of only children will need to be more thoughtful about providing play dates and other opportunities for interactions with friends. However, we shouldn't underestimate the power, comfort, and fulfillment that children receive from a close relationship with parents. At the same time, spending lots of time together doesn't necessarily equal quality time. Ensure that some parent-child time each week is really focused on following your child's lead and doing what he/she really wants to do. Families are not "whole" with only one child. FACT: There are many healthy family configurations and no one right family size. Many of us have experienced pressure from others to expand our families beyond one child. This is a very personal decision based on many factors that are known to only your family. There are no inherent positives or negatives to having a larger or smaller family. Each family has to weigh options and decide what is best for them. There is no one right family size. Families and children in these families can thrive in a variety of configurations. Many factors affect what size family is right for you. Despite the persistence of myths based on very old and flawed data, only children can grow and flourish with deliberate thought and caring from you, their parent(s).

Is Shirin an Armenian?
Is Shirin an Armenian?

It tells a highly elaborated fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khosrow II for the Armenian princess Shirin, who...

Read More »
What can I drink to flatten my stomach?
What can I drink to flatten my stomach?

Green tea which is packed with antioxidants known as catechins . Photo Credit: Istock. ... Cinnamon increases your metabolic rate . Photo Credit:...

Read More »
What are traits of a survivor?
What are traits of a survivor?

Survival Skills: 5 Attributes You Need for a Survivor's Mindset Positive Attitude. ... Mental Toughness. ... Motivation. ... Work Ethic. ......

Read More »
What age should a child be potty trained?
What age should a child be potty trained?

Many children show signs of being ready for potty training between ages 18 and 24 months. However, others might not be ready until they're 3 years...

Read More »