My last post “Should you give your Child a Sibling” stirred a very healthy discussion amongst my readers, friends and fellow moms. The response was positive as well as salty! And during a casual chat with a few of my friends who are in the “one and done” zone, I felt I must highlight the benefits of raising a Single Child.
“So, when are you completing your family?”………”Every child needs a companion- there’s nothing like giving a sibling to your baby.”………”Your child will not understand the concept of sharing- it’s called Single Child Syndrome.”
Well, if you belong to the clan who believes “One is Fun”, this article is going to make you happier because we are going to state some awesome benefits of raising a Single Child which you wouldn’t have been able to tell upfront to anyone and everyone ALL THE TIME!
Let’s face it, this one question crops up the moment you are ready to plan your child’s first birthday. But why don’t people look at the benefits of raising a Single Child, there being so many of them, like:
1.That Special bond
There’s more one-on-one time that you can give to your child without making any adjustments, sacrifices, manipulations. You don’t have to spread your attention around to other children. The child will also most likely turn to you when other children would turn to brothers, sisters and friends for guidance. You and your partner will be their go-to companion which is a special relationship to have between parent and child.
You may also like to read “5 Basic Life Skills your Child Must Learn“
2. Benefits to the Child’s Personality
- Child with no siblings ultimately gets more opportunities to gain independence in terms of keeping himself busy and being social.
- Only children are more aware of parental expectations, which has a strong influence on creativity because they have more opportunities for independent activity, and independence is strongly related to creative thinking.
- Only children learn at a young age how to be by themselves and not have to rely on others for amusement and entertainment. They have a deeper primary relationship with themselves.
- Being the only child implies being the focal point of parents.This results in the child’s hobbies and talents being nurtured.
- Also, studies suggest, only children usually do extremely well academically because of the fact that they are on the receiving end of their parents’ undivided time and focus.
3. Money Matters
The way education and health industry is flourishing & advancing (read: getting more & more expensive), raising a single child is definitely lighter on the pocket. When you start thinking of big expenses like school fees, daycare charges or basics like diapers, vaccinations etc, you would find enough & more reasons to stick to your ‘One and Done’ policy.
You may also like to read “6 Financial Steps To Take as New Parents“
4. Better Lifestyle
With more time & money in hand, parents are in a better position to give better facilities and lifestyle to the child. Most things that were luxuries earlier are no less than necessities today. From planninng the best vaccation to participating with your child in extra curricular activities, constraints to consider are much lesser with one child.
You may also like to read “7 Golden Rules of Travelling With a Baby“
5. Content Mommy, Content Child
It just makes so much sense- with just one child to take care of, you are left with more time to focus on whatever part of your life you want to. From getting time to socialise to pursuing your long lost hobby to setting up your professional life again or to simply pampering yourself by sipping coffee- with only one child under your wing, you have the time and you probably have the money. Basically, you’ll have the opportunity to find happiness outside the parameters of parenthood which not every parent has the time, energy or money to do.
You may also like to read “10 Self Care Tips for Busy Moms“
6. Life is Less Hectic
Well, only if you can imagine what it is to go on a short car ride with 2 kids, 1 baby bag, 1 meal bag, x number of toys and infinite other ‘must-haves’, you would know what being hectic means. Less chaos means a calmer and saner mommy which ultimately means a happier family and home.
You may also like to read “7 simple Yoga Poses for Kids & their benefits“
7. Sibling Rivalry- What’s that?
Sibling rivalry is a non-issue when it comes to parenting an only child. Child would never be exposed to the bitter reality of sibling rivalry that ranges from jealousy to competition to unintentional favouritism from parents. Single kids are thus seen to grow up very self-assured and self-aware. They tend to understand themselves and their capabilities and limits better at an earlier age compared to other children.
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8. Eco friendly
Well, after all you are a mother, and thinking about the Mother Nature should also be your responsibility somewhere. More kids implies more stuff. Picture a store room with double the amount of toys, double the number of clothes and almost double the number of baby gears. A single child would have a direct influence on your buying habits as well as wastage generated.
You may also like to read “DIY Ideas For Decorating Baby Play Room“
While there are ample pros of having a single child, but it also comes with its set of disadvantages. There is no conclusive answer to whether it is easier or more difficult to groom a single child as it depends on a range of factors i.e. parental preference, economic condition of the family, extended family support, other parental commitments and so on and so forth. Ultimately what matters is how we as Parents raise our kids & the values we imbibe in them.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Go Mommy!
This post has originally been written for ‘Hello Parent’. To access the original article, please click here.
I could relate to you and j couldn’t agree more.
Great article!
Thank you Reeti!
Hi, the article is from the perspective of the parents but let me tell you the drawbacks of being a single child. I am an almost 40 only child and wish I had a sibling. While I enjoyed all the attention as a child, the one thing I miss now is someone else equally loving and responsible towards my parents. I haven’t learnt to share anything. And now that I’ve recently had twins, I wish I had a sibling who I could trust to babysit them.
Not that I’m claiming you are stating so in your article, but I laugh when people make it sound like it’s a one way thing. I have no judgement towards how anyone grows, (or chooses to not grow), their family. I have friends who say “No kids for us at all”, some who are happy with one and done and some who have 9 kids. All of those people and families are happy. That’s the beauty of it all. Their life, choices and happiness. I don’t look at my “one and done” friends and think they live a better life than I, nor do I think they do the same to me with my going on four children. There are benefits to every angle. It just depends on what benefits you choose.
I also will have to disagree with some of the points. However, it all just depends on how you run your own household and how you parent, (as I believe you stated if I understood correctly).
Good discussion piece though 😉
Passing this on to my Mama’s that have made this choice!
Thank you for sharing your perspective on why having only one child is ok and has its benefits. My husband and I have a different opinion currently on whether or not to have a second child and your post gave me some good insight.
xo, Laura
What an awesome article and such a worth reading this Glad that you share this with us
Thanks for liking my views!
Does your only child constantly long for a sibling? There could be deeper underlying issues you need to address. Read on to understand.
https://www.parentcircle.com/article/beating-a-teens-single-child-woes/
Generally being told about having a second child, now I have my answers ready after reading your post. Thank you
Ha ha! I am glad my views helped you!
Every set up comes with its own share of pros and cons. And the debates around this topic are never ending. There’s no particular foolproof plan how a family should be. In the end, as long as it works for you as a unit – it’s great.
well more than benefit i think its a personal choice..I have still not decided on one and done but i would never look into benefits of having one or many if i feel like i will just go for it..but your pointers are very convincing
Well this is an endless debate that will go on for as long as humanity stays. But yes the benefits of a single child are to the point very much those that you have mentioned. Loved reading your post.
Thank you so much for liking the post!
Oh I heard a lot from my friends who have one child. I think we all have to face the questions and are judged for what we do or not do. It never ends. If you don’t have a child, why no child? If one child, why not two? So it’s an endless discussion.
ha ha! that’s so true!
Thank you for reading the post and sharing your views!
Having one or two children is entirely a personal choice. Talking about the benefits of having a single child sounds a little biased and opinionated. There are pros and cons of every situation. I am a mom of two and thought a lot before going for another. I must say that I am very happy with my decision.
thank you for reading through and sharing your views.
Ok you’ve convinced me.hahah. I love the reasons stated here. I know this is a fun post but its everyone’s personal choice at the end of the day. I come from a multi-sibling household and glad for it. Sadly I am not at the life stage to have another child or I would have more than 1.
Yeah, I agree! it’s a personal choice and decision. Like everything else in life, this aspect also has 2-sides. Thanks for sharing your views!
I can so relate to this post as I have son and life seems complete. Although family & friends keep asking for the second one but I see nothing less in my life as of now. Felt good after reading this post.
thank you! I am glad you liked my views.
Thanks for sharing your views dear!!! Me and my husband keep debating on this and i say 1 and he says 2, your pointers are so convincing which ill share with my husband. Even i have been facing with many such questions from family, friends & co. That when are planning your next child?? Why only one?? You should go for two?? But we are not in a state to go for two. Though it was posted much earlier i have just got to read this at right time.
Thank you so much for liking the article and resonating with the views expressed. Ofcourse there is no right or wrong when it comes to planning one’s family. I believe what matters the most is the time and values we parents inculcate in our children. At the end, that’s most important.
Keep following the blog for more on mommy hood!
Happy Parenting to you 🙂