Tips for Raising a Single Child

While parents with multiple children may think that raising a single child is a breeze, parents with one child know better. Raising a child with no siblings has its own challenges and hurdles. Here are some ways you can overcome them:

1) Set up play dates for your child. Some of these play dates should be with the child playing alone, or with you and your child playing together. Some of the play dates should involve other children. With single children, there's often a tendency for the parent to become the child's main playmate. This can make it harder for the child to socialize with their peer group. Allowing the child to play by themselves, playing with the child yourself, and making sure that the child has time to play with other children helps reduce this risk.

2) Keep a schedule or structure. Parents of single children will often inadvertently mold their schedules to suit their single child. This can lead to inflexibility and bad behavior later on. Maintain specific times for reading, eating, playing, fun, and other activities. This will allow your child to develop flexibility, organizational skills, and planning.

3) Give your child some responsibility. Whether its picking up their toys, laying out their own clothes, or brushing their own hair, having a sense of responsibility will reduce the child's dependence on attention from you.

4) Figure out a way to deal with questions about your single child. If you have a single child, other parents may ask you why you do not have more. Eventually, as you child realizes that other children have siblings, he or she may ask why he or she doesn't have any brothers or sisters. Develop a way to deal with this question gracefully. This is especially important if there is a sensitive reason -- such as a medical problem -- that prevents you from having more children.

5) Even if you can afford more items for your child, consider having your child earn some items that they really want through responsibilities or through good behavior. Parents who have only one child are sometimes able to afford more for that one child, simply because the family budgets goes further with fewer members of the family. However, even if you can afford to give your child more, you can instill a sense of discipline and pride of ownership by ensuring that your child has to work for some of their favorite toys. Consider setting up a chart in the kitchen, showing how often your child does chores or does a good deed, and reward the child after an agreed-upon number of check marks with their desired toys.