Parenting an Only Child: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Your One and Only [Paperback]

Susan Newman Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 14, 2001

Is it possible to raise a contented only child? Can we be happy with only one child? The answer to both of these questions is a resounding yes.

In recent years, the number of couples choosing to have one child has risen sharply. Whether it's by choice or fate, having a single child presents unique considerations, opportunities, and advantages. Social psychologist Susan Newman, who has been studying single-child families since the 1980s, shatters the myths of the lonely, spoiled only child, and provides in-depth coverage of the critical issues including:

• Making the right family size decision for you

• Withstanding the pressure to have another

• Maintaining a balance of power in a three-member household

• Single-parenting the only child

• Setting boundaries with a child who is used to having your undivided attention

• Fostering high achievement, creativity, and independence in only children

• The effects of having parents, instead of siblings, as role models

• Confronting age-old only-child stereotypes

• Building family networks and other support systems for the future

Presenting fascinating findings and family stories, Dr. Newman shares her knowledge and gives down-to-earth advice, making this the most accessible, up-to-date handbook of its kind. For couples who are already raising an only child, or for those who are exploring the option, Parenting an Only Child offers encouraging clarity and singular insight. Now with a new resource section.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Forget about Leave It to Beaver, argues Newman (Little Things Mean a Lot) in this revised edition. These days, who needs siblings? They cost more money, demand more time and clutter up the house. One child may be the perfect balance for career types who want a family, or for older parents unwilling or unable to go through another pregnancy. Newman first lays out and debunks myths about the sad lives of only children: "onlies" or "singletons" are not shy, aggressive, spoiled or maladjusted. In the book's most trying section, she presents research and testimonies from parents of only children and from "adult onlies," which are helpful but occasionally sound somewhat scripted. She often seems defensive, and sometimes attacks families with multiple children noting, for example, that having four children is no longer "socially acceptable," or that only children see therapists more frequently simply because their parents are more attuned to their emotions. Yet discussing a case of sibling rivalry, she somewhat smugly recounts that the older child had to see a therapist because of aggression. This selectivity grates, especially later when she addresses exactly those issues that she previously dubbed myths e.g., the spoiled child, or "little adult syndrome." Nonetheless, she expertly discusses the finer points of raising an only child, with tips for encouraging sharing, making sure your child isn't running the household and guarding against a "state-of-the-art Child" that would help any parent in our affluent, child-centered times. Though she is generally too biased to help parents who are equivocating about family size, Newman's appealing, no-nonsense delivery and solid, reassuring advice will behoove those who already know that they will have only one child. (On-sale Aug. 14)

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Since almost a third of today's American parents are opting for one-child families, only children have become a popular subject for books in the past year (Ellie McGrath, My One and Only , LJ 6/15/89). Newman, author of several YA nonfiction titles, talks about the pressures facing parents to have larger families but argues that one child fits very well into the modern lifestyle. After enumerating the positive aspects of being and parenting an only child, Newman discusses the negatives but counters with practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls. Much of the book's advice is useful for parenting in general, but parents of onlies will find this a particularly helpful guide.
-Marguerite Mroz, Baltimore Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Broadway Books; Revised and Upd edition (August 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767906292
• ISBN-13: 978-0767906296
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a social psychologist, for decades I have focused on relationship and family issues from enriching parent-child and family connections to reaching a sensible balance between work and family, from preventing child abduction and alcohol abuse to getting along better with your parents when you are all adults, and more. The material for my articles and books comes from extensive interviewing and evaluation often combined with the studies and findings of other psychologists, psychiatrists, and related experts. My goal is to provide readers the most accurate, objective, and useful insights available on the topic.

I believe conflicts and disturbing problems can be eased, if not solved, and most relationships improved when people are willing to make the effort. My books are created and designed to give you the information and tools to help you succeed in making a better, happier life for yourself, your children, your parents, partner, friends, and work colleagues.

Those considering or raising an only child will find interesting discussions at my Psychology Today magazine blog: Singletons

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only somewhat helpful, October 30, 2003

By 

"bobbidipity" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parenting an Only Child: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Your One and Only (Paperback)

I expected this book to be about PARENTING an only child per its title and was disappointed. Susan Newman did touch on some important issues such as teaching sharing and respectfulness and avoiding loneliness, although there wasn't a lot of meat to the chapters on these subjects. She also discussed being careful not to have excessive expectations of an only child, which I found interesting. However, a great deal of this book was devoted to justifying the decision to have an only child. If you're struggling with your family planning choices and would like someone to tell you repeatedly you're doing the right thing, you may enjoy this book. At this point, I don't need justification, I need information on addressing relevant issues so that I can be the best possible parent to my child. I also do not need reasons why my decision to have an only child is "superior" to the paths other families choose and was a little disturbed by the author's tone. Bottom line: this book effectively identifies some concerns of parents of only children, but I will be looking elsewhere for more substantial parenting support.

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for a parent of an only child, August 18, 2004

By 

isu94 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parenting an Only Child: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Your One and Only (Paperback)

My husband and I had pretty much decided not to have anymore children but still had some reservations. However after reading this book I can say that I am much more at ease with the decision. Dr. Newman did so much research and includes quotes and other examples directly not only from educators and doctors, but from real people who are the parents of only children and, most importantly, only children themselves. The reader gets a broad spectrum of input from many different people yet the author ensures that the most important point remain clear--that only children are not deprived, spoiled, overly dependent or social recluses. Dr. Newman, along with her myriad of real-life interviewees, truly takes a stand against the ideas that society has implanted into the minds of parents, making them believe that their child will grow up "missing something" or be maladjusted simply because they do not have a sibling. Dr. Newman also makes sure to include what "not" to do as the parent of an only...some common traps and other unintentional mistakes parents of onlies can make. My son is only three, so this book gave me tremendous insight, advice and suggestions on how to not treat him like an "only child," but simply how to love him as an individual person, regardless of anything else. This book is really about common sense. ALL children go through stages of clinginess, hitting or other beahvioral problems, difficulty with sharing, etc. Yet only children tend to get singled out when these things occur because ignorant people assume they don't have the social skills like a child with a sibling. A child can also prefer to play alone or enjoy solitary activities, siblings or not. Children have innate qualities from birth that don't have anything to do with the number of siblings they have and the reader is reminded of this throughout. She also gives suggestions on how to respond to those who can pressure you into having more. I found that very helpful because pressures to have the typical 2.2 children are very strong.

The only thing I found a little disappointing about the book is the way the author portrays the scenario of what life could be like with additional children. I myself am one of five children and growing up I didn't experience any of the "turmoil" that Dr. Newman mentions in her examples. Although I am of course viewing my own childhood from a child's perspective and not that of my parents. However I always felt loved and nurtured despite having a chaotic house full of kids. I'm quite certain my parents had their moments but any problems they had did not stem from the number of children they had. They enjoyed having a large family, in fact they wanted more than they got! I also have an excellent relationship with all my siblings. Dr. Newman suggests the idea that parents may consider having one simply so their kids don't fight. She also brings up reasons like diaper changes and midnight feedings as reasons to not have anymore. I think things like that are pretty ridiculous reasons. I don't think you can base not having another child on a temporary stage of life that they will grow out of. Reasons need to run deeper than that. So I do have to disagree with Dr. Newman's theories on this topic only, because I don't think they apply universally yet she writes as if they do. I understand her thinking behind them, yet I think if she had left these kinds of things out of the book it would have sounded a little less negative. She does an excellent job of portraying the positives of having one but should have done it without "scare tactics" and silly reasoning.

I still give the book 5 stars however, because I am taking from it what I want and discarding the above-mentioned issues. I'm sure this book will become an important reference tool as well as a reminder to me in the future that I am not doing my son a disservice by not giving him a sibling, which I think is one of the key elements in the book. It's the first book I've read on the subject and I think it will be the only one I'll need.

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book I've Red on Deciding to Stop with One, February 16, 2000

By 

K. Gerson (Mechanicsburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Parenting an Only Child (Paperback)

This is the best book I have read on deciding to stop with one child. My husband and I wanted our first born to be an only, but struggled with all the stereotypical concerns. This book addressed EVERY one of our concerns and helped us feel better about our decision. Although the book did talk about women's careers as an impetus for this decision (I am a stay at home mom), I still found the book very applicable and informative. I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about having an only child. The second half of the book deals with parenting an only child and is a very good resource for those who have already made the decision.