Family planning is an extremely personal matter. Various internal and external circumstances have influenced family planning choices over the last few decades. While the merits of big families cannot be ignored, some couples fare better with having a single child. With this premise in mind, here are 15 unexpected benefits of having one child.
Focused Attention
Having a single child allows parents to direct their full focus on the child’s needs. As a rule, parents are better equipped to focus on the emotions, interests, and challenges of raising a single child, while maintaining their personal life. This leads to a child feeling better understood and more appreciated, which will ultimately help to improve their self-esteem and overall well-being.
Financial Flexibility
While the cost of raising a child may be high, having just one child will certainly take the strain off you financially. You will be more free to save up enough money for your child’s education, afford experiences such as foreign trips or extracurricular programs or classes, and even save for your own retirement.
Career Advancement
It may be difficult to combine a career and family; however, with only one child, parents will be less distracted and can continue to remain committed to their careers. Parents do not have to give in to the traditional stereotype that one needs to choose between family and career. You can have a fulfilling career even with a kid.
Quality Time
Having fewer family members often makes it easier to coordinate schedules and plan enjoyable activities. Spending time with a group is essential in nurturing strong family relationships and establishing lifelong memories. A weekend outing, a game night, or a quiet evening are all priceless experiences.
No Sibling Rivalry
When there are no siblings, there is also no problem for the child to fight over parental attention or other resources. The parent also does not have to deal with the disagreement of the child regularly. It also makes it easier for parents to care for their child’s individuality. Less stress is much more welcome, and parents are happier.
Easier Logistics
Juggling a family’s schedule and needs can be overwhelming, but with just one child, the logistics are much simpler. Parents are not worried about tracking different school hours, multiple extracurricular schedules, or conflicting requests. The simplification allows parents to relax more, spend more time with family, and spend quality time with their child.
Better Education Opportunities
With more financial resources and time available, parents can provide their children with curated educational opportunities than if they had several children. This can be additional tutoring, lessons with private teachers, or attendance at courses and circles in areas that the child is interested in and have truly demonstrated their interest.
Strong Parent-Child Bond
Through exclusive time with the only child, parents develop a strong bond that endures time. It creates an opportunity for undistracted time to understand each other’s perspectives and needs and feel one another’s emotions. For the child, a strong emotional bond with the parent establishes a strong sense of security while ensuring their holistic development.
Environmental Impact
Choosing to have a smaller family is a life altering decision. A single-child family unit is sustainable for the environment. Remember that every additional person adds to the demand for natural resources such as water, food, and energy. Therefore, a smaller family means that fewer people will consume natural resources, leading to a reduced ecological footprint.
More Travel Opportunities
It is easier to travel with one child than with many children, making it affordable as well. It can mean more travel opportunities for the family. A chance to explore different cultures, education experiences, and every moment to remember. On a positive note, such experiences can be enriching for the child and help them explore and understand life.
Greater Flexibility in Housing
With a smaller family, you have more flexibility in your choice of housing. This includes both the option of an affordable small home or the possibility of moving for work. This gives you and your family more comfortable living conditions and more opportunities in the future.
Personal Development
Having only one child to focus leads to more free time and energy for the parents to focus on their self-improvement, pastimes, and hobbies. This enables the parents to continue to focus on their individual growth, while continuing to allow a parent to prioritize the growth and development of their child.
Deeper Friendships
When a child is the only kid, they are more likely to seek friendship and social interactions to satisfy companionship needs. This need for friends and companionships helps to build a close circle of trusted friends. These friendships are essential for the kid’s development as they allow them to learn valuable social skills such as compassion, communication, and conflict resolution.
Tailored Parenting
When a family has only one child, parenting style can be customized, focusing on the child’s specific personality, needs, and preferences. Parental attention can be focused, supporting the child’s strengths and compensating for their weaknesses. Furthermore, the child’s individuality is more prominent if they are the only child. It makes parenting more effective and enjoyable.
Legacy and Inheritance
Having only one child makes it easier for parents to plan for inheritance and legacy. They can ensure their child is taken care of and that their properties pass in a way that their parents value. It is a straightforward process that eases estate planning and makes parents more confident of the future.
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