We’re thinking of being one-and-done but wanted to check with an only child to get their thoughts.” My initial answer is always the same: There’s no right or wrong number of children to have.

The myth of the only child dates back to the late 1800s when G. Stanley Hall, known as the founder of child psychology, called being an only child "a disease in itself." ...

Being an only child taught me resilience. It taught me how to be comfortable in my own company, and how to find joy in solitude. But it also taught me that I want so much more for my own family ...

We're like the three amigos." —Anonymous, 26, from Texas So, only children, did we leave anything out? If you grew up solo, comment below the best parts about being an only child!

The middle child Ah, the middle child. If you are one, then you already know the struggle of being overlooked and forgotten. There’s even a term for it: middle child syndrome.

Many inherit the qualities of being driven to perform well, and can take charge. And, because they are an only child, they usually have more opportunities to do so. They are often conscientious.

I realize that being an only child has its pros and cons, and it’s something that I’ve grown to love. I want all mothers of only children to not feel guilty.

Single-child families are becoming more common in the United States, increasing from about 10% to 20% in recent decades. This means more aging parents will be relying on just one adult child for care.

After a family dinner last week, my mother, sister and I sat around talking about being only children. My mother is an only child. I was “an only” until I was 12.

Only children have better mental health and ‘life satisfaction’ than kids with sibs: study By Deirdre Bardolf Published April 5, 2025, 11:08 a.m. ET ...

I'm the only child of a single mother. She always did the best she could with what little she had, which is why she chose not to have any other children. At 30, I can appreciate this decision and ...