The Baby Expert: The One

There is one question that is undoubtedly asked to all mothers after they've had their first child, and one we've been asked many, many times. "So, when are you guys planning on having another one?" If the response is, "We're happy with just one," this is followed by gasps and looks of shock and repeated demands of "Why?! For the love of god, why?!"

Is one really the loneliest number? Let's pretend for a minute that we were to only have one child. Would that really be the end of the world? Who's to say that having two or more children is better?

The wife has constantly stated that the reason she would want another child is so that Caitlyn won’t be lonely or grow up weird. Yes, the wife thinks only children grow up weird. I’m not sure where she exactly got this idea from, but she claims she’s read several reports that back this up, though she has yet to show me any of these purported claims. Therefore, I’ve taken it upon myself to delve into and settle this matter once and for all.

There’s an unfortunate stereotype that only children are lonely, selfish, maladjusted, spoiled brats. And weird if we’re to believe what the wife says. However, I am happy to say that none of this is true. There has been plenty of actual research in peer-reviewed journals that proves otherwise.

The most important finding is that an only child is not much different than children with siblings. In fact, one of the most marked differences is also a positive. Only children have been found to score higher in measures of intelligence and achievement. This is primarily because of greater parental attention. In short, they tend to do better in school and get more education than other kids. This could be our one shot to get our kid into Harvard.

Interestingly enough, while only children lag behind their counterparts when it comes to social skills when they’re young, they are actually more likely to make friends than children with siblings by the time they’re in middle school. Siblings are more prone to just sticking with each other.

I’m not saying that I only want to have one child. But I'm not saying that I'm ruling it out either. I just want to advocate that there is nothing wrong with that if indeed that is what we or anyone else were to decide. Parents shouldn't be ostracized for saying they are content with only having one child. It doesn't make you a bad or selfish parent. Caitlyn won’t grow up weird or be an outcast if she doesn’t have a brother or sister. Maybe a bit quirky, but that’s more than a-ok in my book. Just some food for thought.