The Seven Common Sins of Parenting an Only Child: A Guide for Parents and Families

I love this book. Excellent information for parents of an only child.

Don't take the title too literally! This is one of the best books on parenting; such great, hands-on practical advice. I view the book as a wonderful parenting tool for families with any number of children. As I read the book, I was reminded of several situations that I have observed in families with multiple children, and the parents "commit the same sins" that you mention in the book. Good parenting requires the same principles no matter how many children are in the home. Also, the www.onlychild.com website is a great resource for handling questions from others on why we have an only child. Thank you for your support and common sense!

My wife and I are "onlies" and we have a 2 year old boy who, in all likelihood, will be an only as well. When I was growing up (I'm 36) there was very little information on only children and I was the only "only" that I knew. There are many advantages to having only one but this book does a terrific job of listing the mistakes that parents can make. When I say "mistake" I mean emotional mistakes that are usually done with the best of intentions. Studies have shown that the vast majority of only childen grow up to lead happy, productive lives. This book, and the companion website, can help make this type of family structure, which is becoming more prevalent each year, even more happy and productive. My parents both came from large families and really didn't know how to handle me being an only. They commited many of the sins in this book. I am certainly a well-adjusted adult, and I have a good relationship with my parents, but if this book had been available 20 years ago, my childhood would have been a lot smoother. I like the way the author organized the patterns that parents of onlies exhibit. What are especially effective are the true-life stories that readers of onlychild.com have submitted over the years. Rather than include dry figures or statistics, there are actual people relating their problems and dealing honestly with their mistakes. In short, both my wife and I found this to be a very solid read. I would recommend it not only to parents on onlies but to parents of multiple kids who think that they have the right to tell others what the correct family size should be.