Singletons

Pregnancy

The Well-Kept Secret About Only Children

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

When I had my son a few decades ago, people asked, "When are you having another?" That is happening less and less and in most circles not at all. Here's why.

When I had my son a few decades ago, people asked, "When are you having another?" That is happening less and less and in most circles not at all. Here's why.

Family Dynamics

The Biggest Benefit of Being an Only Child, and Its Risk

Susan Newman Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

With all the benefits of the close parent-only child bond, like camaraderie, emotional support, and a sense of security, what could go wrong?

With all the benefits of the close parent-only child bond, like camaraderie, emotional support, and a sense of security, what could go wrong?

Family Dynamics

Why So Many Only Children Excel in School

Susan Newman Ph.D. on August 11, 2023

Research points to a distinct academic advantage for only children. Certain parenting attitudes and approaches can help equalize outcomes for kids with siblings.

Research points to a distinct academic advantage for only children. Certain parenting attitudes and approaches can help equalize outcomes for kids with siblings.

Infertility

Good News for Couples Challenged by Infertility

Susan Newman Ph.D. on May 2, 2023

Since the first IVF birth of an American baby in 1981, the use and cost of fertility treatment has been rising. More insurance coverage and lower costs are on the horizon.

Since the first IVF birth of an American baby in 1981, the use and cost of fertility treatment has been rising. More insurance coverage and lower costs are on the horizon.

Family Dynamics

The Value of Sibling Surrogates for Only Children

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

How only children acquire and celebrate their sibling substitutes.

How only children acquire and celebrate their sibling substitutes.

Confidence

Benefits of Roughhousing With Your Children

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

What everyone misses when parents don’t engage in physical play with their kids.

What everyone misses when parents don’t engage in physical play with their kids.

Resilience

Have You Properly Prepared Your Kids for Defeat?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 26, 2023

No one wins all the time, and the sooner kids learn to handle not being number one, the better.

No one wins all the time, and the sooner kids learn to handle not being number one, the better.

Parenting

Avoiding the Perfect Mother Trap

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 4, 2023

Mothers remain targets, scrutinized and made to feel inadequate in their childrearing decisions. Here's how to break free from unrealistic expectations.

Mothers remain targets, scrutinized and made to feel inadequate in their childrearing decisions. Here's how to break free from unrealistic expectations.

Career

Best Age for Kids to Start Doing Chores

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 1, 2022

Kids need to do household work, and not just to make things easier on you. Here’s why this is a developmental imperative.

Kids need to do household work, and not just to make things easier on you. Here’s why this is a developmental imperative.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

More Babies After COVID? Some Answers

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

There was a lot of speculation during lockdowns about what might happen to couples and if we’d have a mini baby boom. Now we know.

There was a lot of speculation during lockdowns about what might happen to couples and if we’d have a mini baby boom. Now we know.

Loneliness

How Science and a Cultural Shift Ended Only-Child Stigmas

Susan Newman Ph.D. on July 21, 2022

To believe that only children are destined to be lonely, selfish, spoiled, or worse is to disregard the evidence that destroys the long-held stereotypes.

To believe that only children are destined to be lonely, selfish, spoiled, or worse is to disregard the evidence that destroys the long-held stereotypes.

Happiness

Are Mothers Happier With One Child or More?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on June 15, 2022

Beyond the number of children parents have, one thing seems to make parents happiest.

Beyond the number of children parents have, one thing seems to make parents happiest.

Family Dynamics

Will I Regret Not Giving My Only Child a Sibling? 

Susan Newman Ph.D. on May 31, 2022

Easily asked, the question of whether or not to have a second child is not so simple to answer. But there are factors you can consider that will help guide your decision.

Easily asked, the question of whether or not to have a second child is not so simple to answer. But there are factors you can consider that will help guide your decision.

Sleep

4 Unusual Scientific Facts to Motivate You to Walk More

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 28, 2022

What you don’t know about walking's emotional, physical and psychological benefits. Time to rethink walking and discover surprising new techniques for you and your children.

What you don’t know about walking's emotional, physical and psychological benefits. Time to rethink walking and discover surprising new techniques for you and your children.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Rethinking Football: 'A Beautiful Life, Until It Wasn't'

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 25, 2022

Heading toward the Super Bowl, Kelsey Chittick understands the obsession with football. But after what happened to her husband, would her high school age son play?

Heading toward the Super Bowl, Kelsey Chittick understands the obsession with football. But after what happened to her husband, would her high school age son play?

Pregnancy

Pandemic Babies: Who Became Pregnant and Who Stopped Trying

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 13, 2022

The pandemic changed pregnancy intentions. Many are rethinking plans to start a family or to have more children. Others forged ahead. Here's why.

The pandemic changed pregnancy intentions. Many are rethinking plans to start a family or to have more children. Others forged ahead. Here's why.

Persuasion

4 Outside Factors That Influence Your Most Important Choices

Susan Newman Ph.D. on December 1, 2021

When it comes to making big decisions, certain “decision drivers” affect your thinking, whether or not you recognize or acknowledge them.

When it comes to making big decisions, certain “decision drivers” affect your thinking, whether or not you recognize or acknowledge them.

Genetics

Am I Becoming My Mother?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 16, 2021

The apple doesn’t fall far from the family tree. Why yours didn’t fall as far as you may think it did.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the family tree. Why yours didn’t fall as far as you may think it did.

Environment

Climate Change Has Many Rethinking Having Babies

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 29, 2021

Climate change’s impact on childbearing decisions is much greater than you might think.

Climate change’s impact on childbearing decisions is much greater than you might think.

Parenting

Helicopter Parenting Takes a Backseat to Jiwa Parenting

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 3, 2021

This emerging approach can drive parents’ anxiety through the roof, and it’s expensive as well.

This emerging approach can drive parents’ anxiety through the roof, and it’s expensive as well.