Take it from George Clooney, aka “Jay Kelly,” Allowing work and its stress to spill into home life puts family relationships at risk. Here, tools to prevent or fix the damage. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

With healthy boundaries, chances to socialize, and room to grow, your only child can thrive in their own unique way. www.parents.com/is-only-chil...

9 Proven Tools for Nurturing Old and New Friendships www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

@bsky.app When kids get everything they want or are rescued from every mistake, it can fuel a sense of entitlement. Dialing back overprotection helps children build responsibility, resilience, and gratitude. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

@bsky.app When it comes to children, it can sometimes feel like one is one and two is four. For many parents, deciding whether to grow their family is about far more than numbers. It is about time, energy, and the rhythm of everyday life. www.susannewmanphd.com/blog/2011/08...

More women are waiting longer to start families, and for many, biology plays a huge role in shaping what is possible. This reality is a key factor behind the growing prevalence of one-child families, a shift that is often misunderstood or unfairly judged. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Friendships steady us through hard moments and amplify our joy in good ones. 💛 Read my newest article, 9 Proven Tools for Nurturing Old and New Friendships. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Birth rates are continuing to decline across much of the developed world, and with this shift, the one-child family is becoming increasingly common.

For some children, imaginary friends help them cope with change or master new skills; for others, they’re simply a source of joy and play. Either way, these fantasy companions are a sign of a rich, healthy imagination. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Too many of our youngest kids are spending more time inside, on screens, and in structured learning than they are outside just being kids. Free play has slowly been replaced by early academics, worksheets, and screen time, but it isn’t a break from learning. It’s where learning begins.

Raising a teen isn’t easy. If you’ve ever wondered when to enforce a rule and when to step back, this is for you.

I just published a new piece exploring a question many parents quietly wrestle with: Is having only one child selfish? I look at what the research actually tells us—and why intentional family choices deserve far more understanding than judgment. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Lybi Ma, Executive Editor at Psychology Today, has a new book out: How to Be Less Miserable. It’s insightful and genuinely helpful, without suggesting forced positivity. The eBook is on sale through 1/11, which feels like a nice invitation to begin the year with intention. bit.ly/3L8mdN8

Do you celebrate all holidays with your in-laws? If you do, how does that experience feel for you? www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

My book, Little Things Long Remembered, offers hundreds of ways to create treasured childhood rituals for busy families. It’s chock full of thoughtful and loving ideas that mean a lot — especially to children. It’s a wonderful holiday gift or stocking stuffer! On Amazon: bit.ly/4j82YzB

Even the most well-intentioned among us can fall back on stereotypes we barely realize we’ve absorbed. It’s time to challenge the myths we’ve accepted as truth. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Letting children try — even if it’s not perfect — builds confidence, independence, and the belief that they can handle challenges on their own. If you’d like more gentle, research-based parenting insights like this, sign up for my Parenting Insights Newsletter 💌 www.susannewmanphd.com

The one-child family is becoming the fastest-growing family size in many countries. @susannewmanphd.bsky.social, author of Just One, shares the research challenging myths that only children are lonely, selfish, or spoiled. Listen to this episode 👉🏼 www.populationbalance.org/podcast/susa...

For more parents today, the ideal number of children is one. What used to be viewed as an exception is quickly becoming the norm, with families creating only child dynasties. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Family size is in the midst of a quiet only child revolution and it alters how most of us think about our own family now and in the years to come. www.susannewmanphd.com/blog/2025/09...

Ever feel like the power dynamic in your home has flipped? Some parents find themselves being bullied by their own children. Take back your authority with empathy and strength. 👇https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/singletons/201509/the-3-types-of-parents-who-get-bullied-by-their-own-children

I was delighted to talk to USA Today about the many reasons more people are raising one child. I call it an “Only Child Revolution.” www.usatoday.com/story/life/h...

Choosing to become a single mother by choice takes clarity, confidence, and a strong support system. In my latest Psychology Today article, I explore why more women are taking this intentional path and how their children are thriving because of it. www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/sing...

Many families have shared their uncertainty and the pressure they’ve felt from outdated myths about raising an only child. Whether you're raising an only or considering having one, I hope you'll explore and share it with anyone who could benefit. www.susannewmanphd.com/books/just-o...

If you're raising an only child or considering the “one and done” path, Just One offers research-backed insights and real stories that challenge outdated myths. Take a look if you're curious about the joys and strengths of one-child families. 📘https://amzn.to/4lUEuee

Running a business while raising an only child can feel like a constant balancing act. In my latest article for Kiplinger, I share how to be be a successful entrepreneur and present, loving caregiver without having to choose one over the other. 📖 www.kiplinger.com/business/sma...

The belief that siblings are necessary for developing empathy and strong social skills is one of the most enduring myths about only children. But decades of research tells a different story. This article on The Friendship Blog explores how only children form friendships. www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...

Being released in two weeks, Just One—a supportive guide for those raising or considering one child. Please share with anyone navigating this personal choice. www.amazon.com/Just-One-Sci...

Overprotective parenting, though often rooted in love, can unintentionally hinder a child’s emotional growth by limiting autonomy, increasing anxiety, and undermining coping skills. Could your helicopter parenting be harming your child? www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

💼👶 71% of Gen Z and 74% of millennial women believe having kids can hurt their careers. And with the cost of raising a child now topping $300,000, it’s no wonder many are rethinking what family looks like. The choice to have “just one” or none at all isn’t just personal. It’s deeply practical.

Governments around the world are offering everything from tax breaks to baby bonuses to address declining birth rates, but will these incentives really change hearts and minds? www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Fatherhood often comes with quiet sacrifices and overlooked strengths. This article reveals some surprising, well-kept truths about the emotional lives of fathers and why they deserve more recognition than they often get. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

☀️ Summer is almost here, and that means sunshine, no school, and a whole lot of unstructured time. Parents, now is the perfect moment to mentally prepare. Take a breath, set realistic expectations, and remember that you don’t need to be your child’s cruise director 24/7. You’ve got this. ✨

Incentives to boost birth rates can be unusual, even quirky. Which one would actually sway you? Or do lifestyle factors play a bigger role in how many children you choose to have? www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

With social media deeply woven into kids’ lives, it’s essential to teach them that even one seemingly harmless post or Snap can have lasting consequences. Helping them pause and think before they share is key to raising responsible digital citizens.

Motherhood is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming and emotionally draining. In my latest blog post, I talk about the hidden challenges moms face and why it’s okay to admit that parenting isn’t always easy. Read more: www.susannewmanphd.com/blog/2023/01...

Today, there is greater acceptance of parents choosing to have just one child, without the assumption that more will follow. This shift reflects changing attitudes toward family size, personal choice, and modern parenting realities.

During the pandemic, many men took on more caregiving and household responsibilities. Now, however, that involvement is declining. Why is that? www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Confidence is one of the quiet superpowers often nurtured in only children. 💬 Growing up without siblings means learning to advocate for yourself early, and that skill carries over into adulthood.

Over 200 years ago, two brothers announced they could fly. Turns out they were Wright.

You're not alone if your child is graduating and moving back home. This transition is common and can bring both joy and challenges. Here are 10 practical tips to help you and your child navigate living together again with mutual respect and understanding. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sing...

Reminder: If your teen calls you to his room to show you something he’s excited about- do it. Even if you are busy (in my case, in the middle of making dinner). Doors don’t open on our s here- they open on their’s. #teendevelopment #parentsofbluesky

When I was a kid, bedtime was 9pm. And l couldn’t wait to be a grown- up so I could go to bed anytime I wanted. Turns out that is 9 pm

In my recent Psychology Today article, I explore how external factors, like societal pressures and cognitive limitations, influence our decisions. Recognizing these influences, along with our executive function limits, allows us to make more thoughtful, realistic choices. Read more here:

Letting go of an adult child as they prepare to leave home can be both exciting and overwhelming for parents. This article offers practical tips on fostering independence while maintaining a strong, supportive relationship.

Singletons often succeed in their careers and may have innate advantages.

#BlackHistoryMonth Well, she'll turn 71 this year, but still. Not that long ago, folks

It’s a common misconception that only children grow up thinking they can run the show everywhere they go.The reality?They quickly learn that what might work at home won’t fly with friends. Social interactions teach only children important lessons about compromise, cooperation, and shared leadership.

Motherhood is an incredible journey, but let’s be honest—it’s also exhausting. Between sleepless nights and the mental load of parenting, it’s no wonder moms often feel like their brains are running on empty. If you’re ready to feel more focused, energized, and in control, click below.

"Long story short," my mom said 40 minutes ago