Only Children - Spoiled?

Your views are correct. Your child or children will turn out how you raise them. I am an only child myself and I cannot be accused of being self centered, spoiled or bratty. Growing up I had all of the things I needed and some of the things that I wanted. My mother taught me the value of hard work for many of the things that I wanted. If I wanted all of the things that the other kids had I would have to work for it. I also come from a background where we are taught to value everything that we own as we did not have a lot of money growing up. If you want more kids, have them, it won't effect how they turn out. Only how you raise them will effect that.

i don't think so. i myself have only one child and she doesn't show any signs (yet) of being spoiled. she's 3 - and can express herself well enough for me to know. i guess it's just a cliche because people think that because you have an only child, you'd spend everything and do anything for her. i say that spoiled kids are the result of parents who are never around for them. first, parents like these normally replace their love and attention with material things. another thing is that thses parents may feel too guilty about not being there for their kids that they let them get away with anything and let the kids do anything they want (hence, the teen who trashed his friend's car might doesn't feel remorseful because mom and dad's gonna bail him out anyway).

I think there's a possibility. But, that just means you have to work harder as a parent. We only have one child and don't intend on having any more.

You're right. It is how you raise tour child and not how many you havethe way your children behave. Although it also a factor that having two or more children divides your attention, than having just one concentrating all your attention just to one. But you can have your way of raising your daughter, so she won't be a bratty. It depends on you how she'll be raised.

I definitely agree with you. Not all children who have no siblings grow up to be spoiled and self centered. I think it has to do a lot with the way in which you raise your children. In fact there are a lot of kids who have siblings who are very spoiled and bratty.

YOur mother in law has no business getting into your reproductive health. A second child is not the answer to preventing over indulgence. It is setting firm rules and being clear about your discipline goals.

I don't think that only children will turn out spoiled. Everyone is different. I had two younger sisters and I hate to say it but I was a little spoiled but not self centered and bratty.I have cousins and friends that are only children and they do not act spoiled. I would not rush into having children for anyone. People need to just mind their business. People use to ask me all the time when are you going to have another baby. All I said is when we get good and ready.

i have one children .he is 4 yr. old.now i think he is going naughty,stubborn day by day.there were some settlement problem with my husband's job,so i did'nt planned but after that recently i got some health problem ,so i was scared,but now my kid is demanding,he is saying like every body is having brother and sister,that is the family,where is my family,i think i should plan

If you have three children and you give them everything they want, that comes down to the same as having one child and giving it all it wants. It's just how you raise your children, not how many children you have. If you don't spoil your child, then it won't turn out to be spoiled. If you do spoil it, well, then it will turn out to be spoiled, that's for sure. I can't see how it should matter if you have one child or more.

No i don't think so that only child get spoiled. Let them be independent. Treat them like your child not as only child in family. Don't let this feeling come to your mind that he/she is only child. If parents start thinking like that the children will automatically adapt this thinking that they were only child in house and they'll get spoiled.

I honestly think it has to do with how your raise your child, not how many children you have.

if your that confident that would do and that is true again it depends on how you raise your child.

My oldest daughter was an only child for 6 years, she is spoiled no matter what I do. We have been to counseling and everything. It was determined that she had ODD. My other children are sweet as pie. I woundn't rush into having another child, have a child if and when your ready.

Of course being an only child isn't a guarantee of being spoiled. There are some things that being one of many teaches naturally, but it's possible to teach an only child those things. It's really important IMO for kids to understand that they aren't the only person in the world. Not only are they more pleasant to be around, they're happier kids b/c they don't expect the world to revolve around them. I know plenty of only children who are thoughtful and considerate of others, though, so don't feel compelled to have a child so yours won't be spoiled.

In teaching, I often find only children to be very spoiled having been taught that the world revolves around them. This doesn't have to be the case if parents handle the situation wisely; however, many don't. I don't think your daughter will risk being spoiled if you hold off having another baby for awhile.

it doesn't matter if you have 1 child or 6 ....that has nothing to do with being spoiled. being spoiled is a condition brought on by overly indulgent parents and grandparents. lets be honest and put the blame where it should be. on another note...you should only have another child if and when you are ready to have one....not because your mother-in-law or anyone else says you should!

Hey, a fellow Albertan! I thought I was the only one! The child will be spoiled if you spoil them, at the same time, it is easier to spoil them when they are the only child. Don't feel you have to have another child because someone else says. You make that decision because ultimately you are the one who will take care of it. Having a child so the other one doesn't get spoiled, that kind of stupid. No offence intended.

I have an only child, who was spoiled, but not rotten. I believe there is a big difference between the two. I now have a very responsible, confident young adult.

first of all, we don't need to be adding to this over populated world so that out children come out differently or so we don't have to be as good of a parent. if you only want one, only have one.

I think parenting factors come into play more than whether a child is an only or not. It is very possible to raise a child that isn't self centered. In my experience, most onlies I know are the opposite of self centered. They're all their parents have so they feel pressure to serve them and make them proud.