Parents of only children often worry if their child can be happy and well-adjusted without siblings. In this webinar we will discuss the many myths about only children and explore the research on how only children develop. We will learn strategies which help to avoid spoiling your child, and which help to foster independence and positive social relationships. We will also explore ways to create a balanced family triad where each family member feels important and complete.

What: Raising Your Only Child Webinar

Who: Karen Friedland-Brown of Parents Place

When: Thursday, April 19 at 10:30 AM Pacific

Cost: FREE

Register: http://bit.ly/HiovgQ

Check out the Kindle Fire Giveaway over at My Precious Kid’s blog! The Kindle Fire giveaway is being sponsored by 18 businesses who have a Facebook presence.  All you  do is go to each of the Facebook pages listed in the blog post, like them, and enter the Kindle Fire giveaway below!   It is that simple. One winner will receive a brand NEW Kindle Fire, a case for the Kindle Fire and an Amazon gift card to purchase your favorite apps!

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I have found that electronic devices are part of every child’s reality in this day and age. I do limit my only child to using “electronics” for a certain amount of time per day.  However, they are invaluable when I have to drag him clothing shopping, shoe shopping or on a long car trip.  We never had those things growing up, but then again, I had a brother to beat on, tease and generally terrorize! LOL

Foster W. Cline, M.D. and Jim Fay coined and defined the term “helicopter parent” very precisely in a section on “ineffective parenting styles” in their 1990 book Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility. It has since become a common term in the 2000′s as parents attempt to sweep any and all obstacles out of the way of their child(ren)’s path. I am sure you would agree that this is not an effective way to parent any child, especially an only child. Only children need to know that they are not the center of the universe…our universe or the universe at large.  I used to feel guilty when I worked at my desk on my home business and my son Joshua wanted to play.  Now I realize I may have done him a favor.  Don’t get me wrong, I spend lots of time with him, but there are times when I need to do something on my own. There are times when my husband and I need to go out on a date without him or (gasp!) have a private conversation without him. LOL

I recently found a wonderful article that does not use the term “helicopter parent” but describes the phenomenon in detail. It is a light-hearted look at a parent who worries about everything and trusts her children with nothing.  Enjoy and allow it to reshape some of your over-protective tendancies.  I know it helped me!

Boston Magazine – Welcome to the Age of Overparenting

It is finally here!  I was one of the people interviewed for The Case for the Only Child by Susan Newman, PhD.  You have to read it!! It was actually released on June 1, 2011.  I pre-ordered it and got it the first week.  I have been trying to finish it so I could give a full review of the book, but my schedule just isn’t allowing me to read it fast enough.

I do want to let everyone know that there is a FAB new book on only child parenting out – The Case for the Only Child.  The first few chapters are amazing.  I will be posting as I come across nuggets while reading.  In the meantime, I leave you with my favorite quote from the book so far, having just one child is the “place in between children and childlessness.”  There is another option!

In an effort to be the most comprehensive resource for only child families, I bring you a talkshow that aired on The Takeaway July, 12, 2010.  Guests included psychologist Susan Newman, author of several only child parenting books and Lauren Sandler author of the Time Magazine story The Only Child: Debunking the Myths.