New Only Child Stereotype: Only Children Prone to Overweight

There’s a new only-child stereotype brewing. Are only children really more likely to be overweight or obese? A potential new stereotype links childhood obesity to family size, birth order and, specifically, to only children. Since 1896 when psychologist G. Stanley Hall pronounced only children were lonely, selfish, and bossy, these stereotypes have stuck. A number… Read More

Spoiled? Not My Kid

We live in an age of yes-parenting, in a culture of parents who can’t say NO to their offspring whatever their age and whatever the number of children in the family. Yet, it’s common practice to categorize parents of only children as indulgent and overlook the same parental behavior in parents who have more than one child.… Read More

Do Children Need Siblings to Become Good Sports?

If your toddler refuses to share a toy or take turns, even if the person doesn’t say the words, you know she is thinking: If that child had a sibling she wouldn’t behave this way. But is it true? Do children need siblings to learn social skills?… Read More