An only child is more content and confident than those with siblings, reports The Observer. Happiness in children declines once there are more siblings in the home, an Understanding Society research study has found.
So, relational experts say that while neither a single child nor one with siblings has a better chance of a successful life than the other, what is extremely important for both is that they have the love and support of their parents. That is one of the greatest assets when developing into an adult.
Happiness declines the more siblings there are in a household. The findings are based on in-depth questionnaires completed by 2,500 young people, which have been analysed by Gundi Knies from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex where the Understanding Society study is based.
Modern science suggests only children are exceedingly normal. Studies that go back to the 1980s show there are no set differences between singletons and children with siblings, aside from onlies having stronger bonds with their parents.
There's no real data to back up the idea that siblings will prevent loneliness. In fact, a 1987 study showed there were no real disadvantages between being an only child or having siblings. So what can you do to help your only child feel less lonely and learn how to form bonds with children their own age?
Research has showed that, while having one child is associated with a gain in happiness, having a second is associated with a drop in happiness for mothers.
“Sibling relationships are emotionally powerful and critically important not only in childhood but over the course of a lifetime. Siblings form a child's first peer group, and children learn social skills, particularly in managing conflict, from negotiating with brothers and sisters.
Many only children are grateful that they don't have siblings. They enjoy more quality time with their parents, get more opportunities, and build higher IQs, self-esteem, confidence, and creativity. They carry these benefits with them into adulthood.
By 4 years old, firstborns are a bit more mature — which means they may be less likely to feel threatened, jealous or insecure with the arrival of a sibling. And since physical aggression is most pronounced between the ages of 2 and 4, your older sib is apt to be gentler with the baby, too. You're at ease.
Disadvantages of Having a Second Baby
Your children may not get the best in material things and otherwise. Your children may get undivided attention from parents. Your children have to deal with comparison of siblings. Single child is more independent, but having a second baby will cease that opportunity in them.
Here, researchers tracked people over 20 years and found that parents were actually happier after the birth of their second baby. With their first child, life satisfaction dipped for several years, then increased to levels higher than before. But a second child steadily increased happiness.
Want to be a happier parent? Grow your family to at least four children! According to a study out of Australia's Edith Cowan University, parents with the most life satisfaction (which means those who are the happiest) are those that have four or more children. Dr.
A Couple's First Two Kids Make Them Briefly Happier; the Third Not So Much. Parents often say that nothing compares to the joy of welcoming their new baby into the family. But all newborns are not equal in the happiness they bring mom and dad, according to a new study published in the journal Demography.
Single children are more likely to be goal-oriented and successful. They are not selfish and spoiled as widely believed. They are less likely to be confrontational as they are not good at managing conflict.
Siblings can be important sources of support, love, and companionship throughout the lifespan. While growing up, frequent contact and a shared history provide siblings with close knowledge of each other's quirks, worries, and joys.
They may boost your mental health.
According to one study, poor sibling relationships as a child may increase your risk of depression in adulthood. Other research shows that adults who maintain strong sibling relationships are less lonely and depressed and have higher self-esteem and life satisfaction.
GAP OF TWO YEARS: There are doctors who recommend couples two years to have a second child. Not only it is good for mother's and new born's health, the first also reaches at a stage where he/she could express and starts to understand things better.
Even with all the understandable talk of “windows of opportunity” and “biological clocks,” there are ways for women over 35 to make motherhood a reality. Infertility treatments can be difficult and expensive, but fertility specialists can talk with you about options. Age is less of a limitation than it used to be.
Women who become pregnant in their 30s and early 40s can have safe, healthy pregnancies, says Ellie Ragsdale, MD, director of fetal intervention at UH Cleveland Medical Center. But they do face a higher risk of some problems.
Becoming a single parent can be a very overwhelming and stressful time in your life as you face having to raise your children on your own without the support from your partner. Most of us don't plan to bring up children on our own but unfortunately circumstances can change in family life and the inevitable can happen.
It's true: Only children may be at a higher risk for getting "spoiled" when compared to families with more kiddos. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! Here are some tips for how to make the most of your family structure, while still not overdoing it.
Parents to onlies often feel social pressure from friends and family to add more kids to the family. You might feel that pressure, but having one child is more than okay. Raising children is not an easy task. Those raising more than one child might assume that a parent with only one has it easier.
“Throughout the lifespan, people who have close sibling relationships have better mental health, better psychological health, and better social relationships, generally speaking.”
In some countries, such as China and South Korea, more than 40% of all families have one child. Similarly, in many other countries including the United States, Canada and Australia over 30% of households consist of a single parent with one child.