IT IS NEITHER MORE SELFISH OR MORE CAPRICHOSO. THESE TIPS PROMOTE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT OVER-PROTECTING IT
Today, millions of children grow up without siblings worldwide, as 30 percent of couples only have one child. Are only children special? Do they need brothers to integrate better into society? Psychologists, child educators, and family therapists answer these questions with a “no.”
MYTHS
DOES BEING THE ONLY CHILD MAKE IT “DIFFERENT”?
The answer is no. Being an only child is not a pathology: your education, like that of any child, must include limits, rules and routines that help you distinguish what is right from what is wrong and thus feel safe and loved.
A CHILD WITHOUT BROTHERS IS A SYNONYM OF A SMALL TYRAN
No, socializing a child through daycare or school helps. Encourage your empathy by letting him play with other children.
IT IS LITTLE AUTONOMOUS AND OVERPROTECTED
It is also seen with the same frequency in children who have siblings. It depends on the upbringing they receive from their parents. Avoid dependence on yourself, teach him to make decisions, encourage him to do things for himself.
NEED A BROTHER TO LEARN TO SHARE
As parents, they must teach them from a young age to share spaces, objects and people (love, time …).
THEY ARE INSURE AND SHOW THEY ARE BACKWARD
The only children are safe people; they have a fairly high self-esteem. Why? In general, because mom, dad, uncles and grandparents applaud all their achievements …
THEY ARE SELFISH
From a young age, teach him that he cannot always be right and that he is not bad. He encourages reconciliation in him.
THEY ARE VERY PRESSED
Many dads tend to pressure their only children; don’t overwhelm him with too many expectations. The experts assure that, on the contrary, he will end up frustrated for not being the best in soccer, mathematics … and he will live unhappy.
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO:
DO NOT OVERPROTECT
If overprotection is excessive, it will be more difficult for the child to be independent because he will be used to having everything resolved. How to avoid it? Setting limits; something that dads have a hard time feeling insecure about their “no’s.”
GUIDE WITH LOVE
The best way to show affection is by setting standards, setting routines, clarifying what can and cannot be done; all at the time that it deserves and trying not to back down when the child tries to contradict them or throw tantrums. It is to be firm.
FREQUENT FRIENDSHIPS
Keep in touch with other children to promote their social development. Go to the park frequently, invite other children to play at home, or let your child go to friends’ houses. It is important that you have a relationship with other children; It will allow you to learn to share, respect turns, abide by certain rules, overcome conflicts.
AVOID THE “I CAN’T”
Give him little responsibilities, like learning to dress, helping to set the table, or teaching him to pick up and put away all of his toys when he’s done playing. As you get older, the degree of difficulty of your assigned tasks increases.
THAT EXPRESSES OPINIONS
Chatting is easier when there is no need to divide the time between several siblings, an only child usually develops the ability to speak earlier and have a large vocabulary. Help him express his feelings, as well as empathize and consider those of others.