Q.Any suggestions for raising an only child?
Gayle

A.In my book,Positive Discipline, I have a chapter on birth order. I will give a very brief summary of my comments on only children. They are often pampered and then adopt characteristics similar to many spoiled, youngest children. Or, they are treated as miniature adults and then adopt characteristics similar to many responsible oldest children. In order to help only children develop into capable people it is important to use many of the methods we discuss in all our books. They will benefit from family meetings where they can learn to problem-solve. They need to experience kindness and firmness, choices, and opportunities to learn responsibility. Like all children, only children will benefit if they grow up in an atmosphere where mistakes are treated as opportunities to learn with dignity and respect. In other words, my suggestions for raising an only child would not be much different than for raising any other child. All children need to be respected and appreciated for their uniqueness.