The Secret Sauce for Building Children’s Memories

For years, our family had “Ralph” in all his plush furry glory. He was our secret sauce for building the children’s memories. How children remember differs by their age and the “ingredients” parents need to use… Read More

To Have or Not to Have Another Child

One woman’s revealing story of her emotional rollercoaster ride and struggle deciding whether to have or not to have another child. It provides insights or perhaps affirmation for the decision you may already have made.… Read More

29 Only Child Requests: Parents, the Correct Response is No

Yes, I said yes to my only child and stepped in or gave in. Saying yes is a trap only child parents fall into. Saying no, however, teaches important life lessons. Read more… Read More

Only Child Stereotypes: Fact vs. Fiction

Proponents of large or larger families claim your only child will be spoiled, lonely, or selfish or worse. These 7 social stereotypes and others date back to the late 1890s and have no basis in fact and probably never did… … Read More

The Firstborn-Only Child Edge

There is no right or wrong family size, but there is strong evidence demonstrating a firstborn and only child edge. In families, the finite resources parents have means that any given sibling will be given less time and attention than if they were an only child. In essence, siblings compete for whatever their parents can provide. … Read More

Dethroned: Sharing Mom and Dad With a New Sibling

Parents of only children will likely agree: their singleton rules the roost. So, what happens when a baby is on the way? … Read More

Older Moms: 40 is the New 30

The”older moms” trend is clear: More women in their late thirties and well into their forties are starting families.… Read More

Mothers With One Child Are Happiest

Having an only child is desirable from a wide range of viewpoints and practicalities, but that doesn’t make decisions about family size any easier.… 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

Only Child Benefits, According to Those Who Lived It

Onlies in their 20s, 40s, 60s and 70s shared their feelings and revealed five distinct advantages to being an only child.… Read More

More Babies, More Housework for Moms? Not Necessarily

Despite the fact that more women than ever before have full-time jobs outside the home, household labor remains largely the mother’s responsibility. So perhaps it isn’t surprising that more and more women are choosing to have only one child.… Read More

Imaginary Friends: Should Parents Worry?

Lisa’s four-year-old daughter Hannah mentioned her new friend Betsy. Lisa assumed Betsy was one of Hannah’s pre-school classmates until Hannah asked if Betsy could have dinner with them. “But she’s not here,” her mother said. “Yes, she is,” Hannah insisted. “She lives here.” … Read More

She Wants a Baby…He Doesn’t

What happens when a couple is divided on family size? … Read More

Note to Parents of Singletons: Your Child Won’t Be Lonely

Parents of singletons often worry that without siblings, their child might have problems sharing and making friends — and hence, will be lonely. But, this stereotype of the only child as lonely child has long been without merit. … Read More

Do You Have the Energy for Another Child?

Deciding whether or not to have another child is a difficult decision. To parents of singletons who aren’t sure how an addition will impact your family, consider this oft-repeated phrase: “One is One, Two is Four…”… Read More

Is the Economy Shrinking Family Size?

This tough economy is causing many people to actually cut back in so many different ways. Even apparently on the number of children they have. … Read More

Great Expectations: May Be Too Great for Only Children

With parents of only children, the tendency to want their children to excel can be so focused that it becomes counter-productive. Here are suggestions to benefit both parent and child.… Read More

4 Working Attitudes for Parents of One

A parent’s approach to rearing has far more to do with the child’s behavior and eventual outcome than does the number of siblings he does or doesn’t have. In order to achieve a livable balance, parents of onlies must think big; they must operate as if they had a clan.… Read More