Living without the need to share with other siblings the affection, care and generosity of parents, without that other “measuring stick” imposed by friction with them, marks the personality of only children. So much so that personality traits and characteristics that only children often share have been defined.
It is up to parents to adapt their education to take advantage of the advantages and counteract the disadvantages of growing up without siblings.
1. Affectionate and very close to their parents
They share a lot of intimacy with them and the ties that bind them are very strong. Children admire their parents, imitate them in everything, share tastes, opinions and way of being. It is not uncommon for you to choose the same profession as an adult.
The risk: in adolescence, children need to rebel against their parents to assume their own identity. Only children take longer to do so and this lack of healthy rebellion can cause a significant lack of self-image in a few key years for their personal development.
2. Ambitious
Since they were little, they usually carry the dreams of their parents on their shoulders, which are projected on them as the only mirror. They are used to being demanded, putting up with pressure, and seeking success.
The risk: parents must not lose sight of the fact that their child was not born to achieve their ambitions. It is up to you to find your own way.
3. Self-confident
They have no competitors at home and they receive all the encouragement and all the praise which contributes to their growing up with good self-esteem.
The risk: they may come to think that they are children superior to others or that their way of acting is the only possible one. This will make them intolerant, stubborn, and unsympathetic. Limiting praise is the recommendation of all psychologists.
4. Responsible and smart
Constant contact with adults leads them to cope well in the world of the elderly. They are mature for their age, express themselves very well, and are often good students.
The risk: they can behave with pride and accept failure badly. At school, the good relationship they usually maintain with the teacher can alienate them from their classmates and deepen their feeling of misunderstood lonely.
5. Prudent
During the first months of life, the mother feels a strong attachment to her baby. If no more siblings are born, this bond remains unchanged throughout childhood. Parents often fear more intensely that something will happen to their child, which often makes him prudent, avoiding uncontrolled risks.
