| In the past, large families were commonplace with an | | | | sending any of them to college. Only children also |
| average of 3 children being the common statistic. | | | | never have to suffer from sibling jealousy, while some |
| Having only one child was rare, and that child was | | | | children from average size families carry this hostility |
| assumed to be a spoiled, rotten brat. In recent years, | | | | into adulthood. These only children also may enjoy a |
| due to improved birth control and the fact that many | | | | closer relationship to their parents than other children, |
| couples are waiting until they are older to have children, | | | | as these youngsters tend to go on trips with their |
| only children are becoming more common. This does | | | | parents more often than their peers. Mothers of only |
| not mean that there are a large percentage of | | | | children are also more likely to take the child along to |
| single-child homes however. Many people still feel that | | | | run errands such as going to the grocery store, |
| having an only child is undesirable and that having at | | | | something that mothers with several youngsters may |
| least two children is necessary for normal childhood | | | | not consider to be an option. There are certain areas |
| development to occur. Although there are some | | | | that parents of only children need to be careful with. |
| disadvantages to having an only child, there are also | | | | There is nothing wrong with showing your child that |
| some advantages to the situation. Only children seem | | | | you love him. The problem that arises with only child is |
| to do better in school than children from average-sized | | | | that the parent's love is all centered on him, especially if |
| families. This could be due to several factors. Parents | | | | the child is the result of years of the parents |
| have more time to help an only child with their | | | | attempting to have a baby. These parents should |
| homework. With several children, parents may only | | | | make sure that they keep outside interests so that |
| have the time to quickly check the answers to make | | | | your child will realize that he is not the center of the |
| sure that they are correct. Only children often have | | | | universe. Only children also have more difficulty in |
| better language and communicative skills than their | | | | social situations with their peers. Children with siblings |
| peers. This is due to the fact that as the child is | | | | grow up knowing how to interact with other children, |
| growing up, he is spending much more time around | | | | while the only child spends most of his childhood with |
| adults than a child with several siblings. It is only natural | | | | adults. Enrolling your child in a group daycare center or |
| that the child would pick up adult language patterns | | | | making play dates with other children when your child |
| and vocabulary. Only children are also more likely to | | | | is young can help him learn to deal with his peers. |
| attend college. This is due in part to higher scores in | | | | There is nothing wrong with parents having only one |
| high school. It is also a result of parents of an only child | | | | child. It is how these parents deal with the situation that |
| having more money available to pay tuition. This is a | | | | can make a world of difference. |
| combination of the lower costs of raising one child as | | | | Find helpful and creative ideas for parents and |
| well as the fact that many parents of only children are | | | | grandparents while you shop our affordable kids |
| older and more financially established than their | | | | furniture. For more information, visit this article on |
| younger counterparts. With college costs today, | | | | wooden toy boxes. |
| families with more than one child may have difficulties | | | | |