Are kids without siblings more spoiled?
Are kids who grow up without siblings more spoiled? Lately we've hung out with a lot of only childs (only children?) and they seem way more spoiled than kids with siblings. Is it just the sample we've spent time with? Or are they more spoiled because the parents can focus only on their needs without having to worry about balancing those needs with other kids' needs?
We went to a gymnastics party where one little girl wanted a leotard because about a third of the other kids had them, so the mom left the party and went to buy her one.
We told a family we couldn't go to the park with them because my husband was out of town and our kids are such different ages that having just one person watch them all didn't work in the park the boy wanted to go to. The family called 4 times in 1 day to ask us to change our minds because their son really really wanted us to. (We suggested a different park but their son didn't like that idea.)
We met a family who drives their 5 year old son 1.5 hours each way three times a week to play on a sports team he likes.
If it were me, I would just tell my kids no, but maybe I'm not nice enough. Or maybe I just don't have the time to do these things and just pretend to myself that it is because I think doing them would make my kids spoiled. Or maybe doing these things isn't a big deal for one but if you do it for multiple kids then the dam breaks and it is a huge mess so it is better just to not do it.
Do you think singletons are more spoiled or just better taken care of?
Anonymous
May 31, 2010
1 Answers
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0 votes
I'm an adult -- an old adult. I am also an only child. I was never coddled or spoiled. My parents expected " adult" behavior from me all my life. They were very strict. From a very young age I spent long periods of time alone, and I had work to do around the house. I never had a birthday party. I was expected to sit quietly with adults and not say a word --- and no squirming! I know now that this was extreme and on the opposite end of the spectrum you are talking about. My point is that No --- I don't think that I was more spoiled than kids with siblings. In fact, I was less spoiled. There are many approaches to raising children. The continuum is very broad. What you have experienced with children who are singles is just a part of the picture. I will say this -- singles probably do have an opportunity to explore their own preferences more, simply because there are not others to distract from their interests. Singles hav no comptetition, and to this day I am not a competitive person. On the positive side, as an adult I have a great tolerance for solitude and quiet. I am independent and " strong". I am creative with finding solutions to my own challenges, and I am not very affected by the opinions of others.
Anonymous
Jun 7, 2010
