By a child-care authority and mother of an only child, this useful, knowledgeable book provides sound advice on creating an enriching environment that's stimulating and enjoyable for only children and their parents alike.

Although parenting approaches change, attitudes about only children remain stuck in the past. The negative stereotypes—lonely, selfish, bossy, spoiled, socially maladjusted—make parents think their child will be at a disadvantage when compared to those who grow up with siblings. The Case for the Only Child debunks the myths, taking into account the many chang­es the nuclear family has experienced in the face of two-family incomes, women who have children later, and the economic reality of raising children in our modern world. Combining often-surprising findings with real-life stories, compassionate in­sight, and thought-provoking questions, Dr. Susan Newman provides a guide to help you decide for yourself how to best plan your family and raise a single child. -Provides fascinating facts and statistics to show the reasons for the rapid risein the number of singletons -Explores pressure from friends, relatives, and strangers to have a second child . . . and how to deal with it -Demystifies the realities of raising and being an only child with personal stories and current research -Explores the highly debated question: Does a child need a sibling?

The author discusses the pros and cons of being an only child.

An informative look at the mutual benefits, the drawbacks, and some of the challenges typical in only-child situations. The author outlines parent-child relationships at different stages of childhood and adolescent growth. He describes common patterns in an only child's peer relationships and the problem of an only-child's tendency toward self-centeredness.

Surviving a horrific school shooting, a six-year-old boy retreats into the world of books and art while making sobering observations about his mother's determination to prosecute the shooter's parents and the wider community's efforts to make sense of the tragedy.

Birth order has a powerful effect on children's emotional development, on their self-esteem, and on their sense of well-being. The youngest child, the firstborn, the middleborn, twins, and the only child all have specific birth order issues that, if not atted to early on, can impair their functioning and their interpersonal relations at home and at school, and can follow them into adulthood. Parental birth order, too, plays an important role, as do such other factors as gender and family size. To understand these birth order blues, the author, an expert in parent-child relationships, first raises parents' awareness of the impact of birth order upon children. She then shows how to identify their children's birth order problems, often disguised by behaviors such as underachievement or aggression, and suggests how they can resolve these issues and prevent negative behavioral patterns from developing.

Addressing the advantages and disadvantages of being an only child, this consideration discusses how growing up in a single-child family affects a child’s attitudes, relationships, and future. The study draws on the experiences of a wide range of children without siblings, exploring the difficulties they are faced with and how, as adults, they have learned to cope with these problems. At a time when couples are increasingly limiting their families to one son or daughter, this survey answers a pressing and growing need, making it essential for any parent or partner of an only child.

An updated edition of the bestselling guide! Do you have problems saying "No?" Do people always turn to you for a favor? Wonder how you get roped into things you really don't want to do--with friends or family, at work or even with pushy salespeople? Refusing someone is rarely easy. Often, it's downright uncomfortable. But constantly saying "yes" causes anxiety, anger, stress, regret, and feelings of powerlessness. Social psychologist and author Dr. Susan Newman empowers you to break your debilitating yes habit with her simple techniques and insights. This new, enhanced edition is filled with research and timely scenarios that offer more ways to say "no" without feeling guilty or damaging your relationships. You'll discover how to: Recognize when someone is manipulating you into "yes" Be ready with the words you need to refuse Avoid being overcommitted, overworked and overwhelmed Put an end to feelings of resentment or frustration Make quality time for things you want to do Establish and keep your boundaries strong Harness the power of "No" and take back your life.

As the parent of an only child, are you frustrated because you find yourself overindulging and overcompensating? Do you treat your child like an adult, overpraise, or overprotect him? Have you expected perfection from your child yet failed to make rules and implement them consistently? If you are not a perfect parent of an only child, you are not alone. Based on the real-life experiences of Carolyn White—editor of Only Child, parent, and educator—and hundreds of interviews with only children and parents of only children, The Seven Common Sins of Parenting an Only Child celebrates the special rewards and opportunities of the single-child family and offers a practical (and often humorous) guide for overcoming the most common errors parents can make when rearing an only child.

One-child households have doubled over the last two decades, making it one of the fastest-growing family units in America. Expert Carl Pickhardt aids families in understanding the common traits of many adult "onlies"--like shyness, perfection, and intolerance--so that they can better prepare for potential outcomes. He also celebrates the positive qualities of only children and how to encourage characteristics like thoughtfulness, creativity, and ambition. Pickhardt sheds new light on issues that many only-child families encounter, such as: -attachment problems -conflicts between only child and parent -performance anxiety -unusually high personal expectations -feelings of entitlement -dependence -problems with risk-taking With a distinctive focus on long-term effects, this book will help refine and improve daily parenting methods. Parents will welcome these insightful guidelines for the formative influence they wish to provide.