Discover why having one child is not only a preferred family size, but also a most enriching path to creating a thriving, happy family.
Drawing from groundbreaking new research and interviews with over 100 families, renowned psychologist Susan Newman, Ph.D. dismantles the outdated myths about only children while providing a roadmap for confident parenting decisions. Whether you’re contemplating your family’s size or already raising an only child, this authoritative guide addresses the most pressing concerns:
- Is one child right for me? Am I being selfish?
- No sibling: Am I cheating my child?
- What are the benefits of being an only child?
- Why the “selfish, lonely only” stereotypes no longer hold up
- How to raise a well-adjusted, compassionate only child
- Is caring for aging or ill parents too much for one child?
More and more families are embracing the solo child with little to no pressure from family and friends to have another. The one-child family has become desired in the U.S. and worldwide in developed countries. China, England, Korea, France and Canada have already been labeled “one-child nations.”
Just One explores the striking changes in cultural norms and personal challenges driving the popularity of the one-child family: from women starting families older and the high cost of raising children to women wanting to work and climate change concerns.
Written by one of America’s leading parenting experts who has been featured in Psychology Today, The New York Times, and NPR, Just One offers evidence-based strategies for nurturing competent, independent only children. This timely guide speaks to a new generation of parents who are redefining what makes a perfect family size.
For Just One News Coverage, click here
What People Are Saying
“As times change, so do fashions in parenting and family size. Susan Newman, PhD, who has been studying “onlies” for decades, draws from research and interviews to illuminate why today’s parents are opting for “just one.” Newman has given us a clear-eyed understanding of evolving social norms, financial considerations, and emotional factors that impact family size. Whether you’re considering having an only child or are already raising one, Just One provides balanced, empathic advice on how to navigate this path with intention, wisdom, and compassion.”
— Melinda Blau, co-author of the New York Times bestseller
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer and author of The Wisdom Whisperers
“Just One is a beacon of clarity in helping you decide on one child or more. It addresses the emotional tug-of-war and real-world challenges parents and prospective parents face, making a compelling case for the benefits of having an only child. It offers pitch-perfect advice for each stage of the one-child parenting journey— it’s like having your own private parenting coach who shares strategies, solutions, and mindsets for confident single-child parenting.”
— Alice Boyes, PhD, author of The Anxiety Toolkit
“Susan Newman has done it again! Just One celebrates the unique happiness and wonder parents experience raising an only child. With positive inspiration, it dispels the myths of family size and the unfounded criticism parents of only children have faced. Susan offers a gentle, guiding hand with tips and spot-on support. Considering the growing popularity of only-child families, Just One is a much-needed breath of fresh air!”
— Sean Grover, LCSW, author of When Kids Call the Shots
“Is one child enough for me? No sibling—am I cheating my child? Just One expertly answers the pressing questions that arise when considering family size. Drawing from cutting-edge research and intimate stories of only children and their parents, Newman offers reassuring guidance for those navigating this deeply personal decision.”
— Amy McCready, parenting coach and author of The “Me, Me, Me” Epidemic:
A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World
“A thoughtful, unapologetic exploration and celebration of the one-child family. With her decades of expertise and hundreds of interviews with only children and parents of only children over the years, Susan Newman is uniquely attuned to the concerns and the delights of this increasingly popular family type.”
— Bella DePaulo, PhD, author of
Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life
Order Just One Now on
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound
or wherever you buy your books.