Tips for Parenting an Only Child.

By Samyati Mohanty

Having a single child allows you to give your youngster your undivided attention and love. Simultaneously, raising a single child becomes more cost effective because parents do not have to compromise on their child's dreams and can still provide the best of everything. Here's your guide to raising a responsible and happy single child, with an increasing number of urban parents refraining from second-time pregnancy.

Being an only child is a fantasy for some. However, parents must be aware of some of the difficulties that come with raising a single child. Here are a few pointers for parents.

1. Do not 'spoil' or overindulge the child.

One of the drawbacks of having an only kid is the risk of spoiling them by lavishing them with gifts. When there are no siblings in line for toys and gifts, this is simple to achieve. It's easy to overindulge a single child when you only have one.

By setting limitations, we can reduce this proclivity. Set a limit on the number of gifts you'll give or the amount of money you'll spend on each occasion, and adhere to it.

You can also force them to work for their desires. If kids want to acquire the newest video game, assign them chores to earn money so that they can purchase it on their own. This can help children delay gratification and teach them the importance of hard effort in order to achieve their goals

2. Do not treat the child as if he or she is a member of the household's adult population.

When a family just has one child, it's easy for parents to start treating them like an adult. Around the age of 8 or 9, many children show maturity and adult-like behaviours. Parents find it simple to tolerate their children's behaviour since they understand it. The youngster, however, is still a child who must be treated as such.

Adulthood is when the  prefrontal cortex of the brain fully develops. Even teenagers will act impulsively since their prefrontal cortex has not fully formed.

As a result, parents must recognise that their children engage in impulsive behaviour. As a result, we can't expect youngsters to mature into adults because they haven't yet reached that developmental stage. Allow them to be kids for a while. Once in a lifetime, they can only be one.

3. Introduce your child to his or her classmates

Children who do not have siblings have a harder time resolving conflicts with their classmates. This is most likely due to a lack of frequent sibling conflict resolution exercises. As a result, peer engagement is crucial. Wherever possible, parents should allow their children to solve their own peer problems. This will teach children how to communicate with their classmates and resolve conflicts independently.

Parents often want to protect their children and will step in during peer interactions if they fear their child is being emotionally hurt. Parents should discuss how to respond in various settings with their children to teach them conflict resolution skills. It is beneficial to a child's  social skill development to teach them how to deal with peer conflicts and to seek adult aid only when absolutely necessary (such as when there is a risk of physical harm).

4. Set realistic goals for yourself.

When adults have only one child, their dreams and desires may become entwined with them. For their children, parents should set fair goals. Children are unique individuals who are not like you. They are their own person, with qualities, talents, and abilities that are distinct from yours. People should be judged on their talents, not yours.

It may be unrealistic to expect a child to be a great athlete. They're all distinct and one-of-a-kind.

We might see one child who excels at athletics, another who excels at academics, another who is creative, and another who is completely unknown in terms of talents and gifts because they are still young if a parent has four children. We can't expect an only child to fulfil all of a family of six's objectives, hopes, and ambitions.

Discover what your child might excel at in the future. They may excel in some areas while falling short in others. Encourage them in whatever they do, but don't set them unattainable or unrealistic ambitions.

5. Assign chores in order to instil responsibility.

Because there is only one person to wash laundry and clean up after, having one child makes it easier to complete all of the household tasks. Out of need, parents with three children are more likely to ask their children to help with chores. A single parent cannot keep up with the clutter and effort that comes with having a larger family. Even if a youngster is the only one in the house, he or she must be expected to help out. It will instil responsibility among children. They'll also learn useful life skills like how to fold laundry, properly wash dishes, and vacuum and clean the house. Duties can be quite beneficial to kids, especially if they are paid for doing extra chores in order to obtain something they desire.

Children who are separated from their siblings are more likely to seek social approval and the chance to fit in. Assist them in realising the importance of being unique rather than just another face in the crowd. Engage your children in activities that will help them establish a sense of self outside of the house. Onlies, especially onlies, must learn to resolve conflicts without the help of their parents. Encourage empathy and be a calming influence.

Don't be fooled by the hype regarding children's problems. They aren't as lonely as people think, and they do better in school.