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One and Only

Is One Child Enough?

By Gwen Morrison

As the mother of four, I can't even imagine what the dynamics of a family would be like with only one child. For some parents, one child is all they want, while others are eager to raise a big family. So how do parents know when to have another baby? Or is one baby perfect for them?

Every child who is born into a family enters into a unique environment. A first child enters a family where he is an only child, a second child is born and immediately becomes the youngest in a family of four – with every new addition, the entire structure of the family unit changes.

"There will never be a perfect time to have another child," says Roberta Roth, C.S.W., a psychotherapist in private practice in White Plains, N.Y. "I advise clients to feel comfortable with their parenting skills and their stress levels as best they can."

Roth points out that parents need to be logical when considering adding another child to their family. As families grow, so do responsibilities, which can lead to increased stress. It's important to be sure that both parents want to take the plunge in helping out with the additional work involved in adding a new baby to a one-child family. In the early days, there will be sleepless nights, and as the child grows, there will be the additional stress of sibling rivalry that would not be present in a family with an only child.

Parents who are considering having another child are urged to communicate their personal thoughts about taking on the added responsibility. It's too late to voice your opinion after the child is born. Roth encourages parents to ask themselves these key questions:

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