You and Your Only Child: The Joys, Myths, and Challenges of Raising an Only Child [Paperback]

Patricia Nachman (Author), Andrea Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 3, 1998

Single-child families are more common than ever before, yet many parents are concerned that they are somehow cheating their child of a "real" family experience. Recent findings, however, suggest that only children are frequently more confident, verbal and quick to learn than children from larger families. In this reassuring and practical book, Dr. Patricia Nachman presents solid, well-supported evidence that the myths surrounding only children are just that -- myths.

Drawing on her years of practice as a child psychologist, Nachman offers proven parenting strategies for dealing with a range of issues unique to only child-households, while helping parents build a strong, supportive relationship with their child. Filled with insight and authoritative advice, You and Your Only Child  reassures parents that there is nothing unnatural about being or having an only child.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

According to popular wisdom, an only child is spoiled, lonely, and a social misfit. Not so, say psychologist Nachman and writer Thompson. The authors debunk these and dozens of other myths regarding the only child and reassure parents that an only child "will do just fine." They discuss social attitudes about "onlies" and challenge parents to examine their own preconceptions about the one-child family. Offering practical advice on issues as diverse as the only child and friendships, the parent/child triangle, and the only child and divorce, this book provides parents with the confidence and tools needed to raise an only child as a well-adjusted, achieving, and happy individual. Recommended for child-rearing collections.?Pamela W. Bellows, Northwestern Connecticut Community-Technical Coll. Lib., Winstead
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Patricia Nachman is a teaching fellow in graduate psychology at the New School for Social Research and has been widely published in academic journals. She is a mother of an only child and lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (February 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060928964
• ISBN-13: 978-0060928964
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Resource, March 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: You and Your Only Child: The Joys, Myths, and Challenges of Raising an Only Child (Paperback)

What is wonderful about this book is that it includes and speaks directly to parents who may not have originally intended for their child to be an "only". Parents who may have wanted a larger family, but cannot due to circumstance are dealing with their own feelings as well and this book does a great job of identifing and advising on this aspect. This book is well written, well organized and offers practical advice in an intelligent and reassuring way.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous book packed with information and encouragement., April 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: You and Your Only Child: The Joys, Myths, and Challenges of Raising an Only Child (Paperback)

This book provided me with all the answers I needed for those who said "You can't have just one child," and "He needs a playmate." Ok, my, then I'll get him a dog, response is not in here.. But better ones, ones for yourselves, about all the real benefits of being an only child, from better cognitive skills to assurances that your child will be able to make friends and won't necessarily be spoiled unless you spoil him or her (and how to be sure you don't). Some of the "evidence" was not documented well enough for me (maybe parents with better cognitive skills tend to have only one child, later in life?) but all in all it has good advice, good information and helps you and your spouse feel good about the family you have chosen to make.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Short on Advice, January 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: You and Your Only Child: The Joys, Myths, and Challenges of Raising an Only Child (Hardcover)

I did not like that way that the book talked to me as if I were a patient instead of a concerned parent. Reading it, I felt like I was getting therapy instead of the advice I was looking for and need. A lot more factual information and specific direction, instead of so much "feel good" stuff would have been helpful.