Is it Okay for you to Have a Single Child?

In a healthy marriage, one of the most important decisions a couple has to make is having kids. While you plan a family and the ideal time when you want to have kids, it is equally crucial to decide as to how many children do you want to raise.

There were times when having more children in the family was the tradition, but with the increasing expenditure on kids and rapid lifestyle changes, parents are beginning to think of having an only child. That should not be considered as a problem as having a single child is something you should be opting for. Here are some facts that can make you say ‘Yes’ to having only one child –

#1. Only Child Syndrome Is A Complete Myth

Only Child Syndrome is the myth most people carry that children without siblings are spoilt, selfish, anti-social and maladjusted. But to your relax; this myth has been proven wrong stating that the perceptions made are subjective in nature. We can even say that this syndrome is not a real thing and it’s just something people use to define the single child. The attributes given to single children can easily be found in anyone, in general, who was raised with siblings in his/her family. Ever heard of G. Stanley Hall? He was the one who created this concept of "Only Child syndrome" after his clearly misguided studies. If you’re still worried about having an only child, think about what would you do if you had 3 or more kids. You would definitely not buy them every toy they put a hand on or do all the work for them as it would be just too hectic. So follow the same routine even with a single child to give them the regular treatment.

#2. Parenting An Only Child Is A Piece Of Cake

Having an only child is not only a convenient idea for the parents but also for the kid. Less means more in so many ways when you only have one child. Unlike the popular belief of having to entertain the child yourself, it is a not a heavy job to raise a single kid. You will find yourself enjoying the one-on-one time with your little one as compared to being completely occupied with the two or more kids. Even the child has access to more resources and gets a positive growth mentally and physically. Being a mother, catering to two or more children can be a mess for you at times. Whereas, a single child will be less time-consuming and will give you so much time and space for your personal interests.

#3. One Child Policy Should Be Voluntarily Adopted

We are all aware of the one-child policy of China that it recently changed to a two-child policy. The infamous policy was indeed a violation of human rights as parents were forced to keep only one child against their wishes of having a second one. The policy bought a control on the population of China in great numbers but now that it is removed; it will result in more children. According to United Nations, the population of the world will reach 9.7 billion by the year 2050, that is an increase of about 3 billion in 40 years as we reached 7 billion in 2011. If we keep going at this rate, the resources and climate will worsen at an alarming rate. So, we being the residents of this planet should take a step forward and adopt the one-child policy. It will be for both the personal as well as the universal betterment.

#4. No Burden On The Wallet

When you are having multiple kids, no matter how rich you are, you always choose to spend wisely as there is another kid coming up who will need you to make the expenses when they grow up. Having an only child, you will feel less of that nagging burden to save more and spend less. You can invest your money on your kid without thinking too much. You can spend money on sports classes and a good college as that would not be such a burden for you. While money might not be the top reason to have a single child, it definitely is something you will enjoy.

#5. You Will Raise An Independent Kid

There might be times when your child who has no siblings might feel the need to have kids around in the family, but that will not be in their heads all the time. Moreover, a child who grows all by himself/herself will grow up as an independent person. They will not have that feeling of needing someone around all the time when they shift to another city for studies or career. Life will be much simpler in so many terms. The kids who grew up with siblings will miss being around with family and will take more time adjusting to the new environments. This completely contradicts the popular belief that single kids have a hard time adjusting to new things. In fact, having spent most of their time by themselves at home, they will find it easier to stay alone away from the family making them more independent.

#6. Maintaining A Perfect Bond

Having more than one kid will divide your attention and love to take care of all the children equally while you don’t have much to worry about when it comes to having only one child. That one little angel will be the center of all your attention, and you don’t have to worry about doing justice to all the kids and treating them equally. The parents will feel that unbreakable attachment to the kid, and it will be the same from the child’s side too. You will be more available for the kid when the need be and you can be there to solve their problems. They won’t have to compete with a sibling to get your attention and time which will do wonders to a parent-child bond.

#7. Your Kids Will Be More Friendly

We’re not sure why people created the myth that single children grow up lonely because it is quite the opposite if we see so. Gone are the days when children could only play within the confines of their own home. So, single children are more prone to talking to other kids and making friends. Now do not mistake this as a necessity for they don’t have siblings to play with. A single child has that inner capability of bonding with people if they want to and making friends out of them. So, an only child should not be mistaken to be a lonely child.

#8. The Liberty To Spend On Luxuries

If you were one of the kids who grew up with siblings, you will probably relate to making a few sacrifices because the other sibling needed something more than you did. This happens a lot, and the parents have to make a few harsh decisions every once in a while to ask you to let go of your wish. But as a parent, if you decide on having only one child, you will know for certain that there will be fewer chances of sacrificing on wishes. In fact, even after all the expenses, you might still be able to save for the luxuries you want to have. You can enjoy a trip to the beaches every once in a while with your family. You can have the liberty to wish for expensive things.

There might be a lot many positives that people talk about having siblings and few negatives of being single kids, but the reality is it all comes down to how you face things and how you respond to them. Having a single child can be a beautiful experience that lets you enjoy the beauty of the parenthood. It is not at all selfish on your part if you plan to have only one child. You as a parent have every right to think about your personal freedom and life too.

Besides we are sure now that you have read all the benefits of having a single child, you will be more than willing to give up the thought of bringing another kid into your family just so that your child doesn’t grow up as a lonely kid. People might walk up to you and tell that idea alone is terrible of raising a single child, leave aside actually do it. But don’t be swayed by what the general public believes if what you want is something entirely different. We assure you that you are not the only one who is perfectly happy with the thought of having only a single child. There are many parents who voluntarily decide to raise only one child keeping in mind all the factors that take to have a kid. So, have a kid and make a perfect family that you always dream of.

(Image Courtesy: 1. New Jersey, 2. Odyssey, 3. Local Experience, 4. Parenting Squad)

(Featured Image Courtesy: The Australian)