Only Child

Drawing on the experiences of a wide range of 60 only children, this book explains the difficulties they are faced with and how, as adults, they have learnt to cope with these problems.Growing up as an only child can foster a greater sense of responsibility and social skills, only children are often more sensitive and considerate to the needs of others. Yet, it can also lead to difficulties in forming close relationships and the intensity of the relationship with their parents can become oppressive.At a time when couples are increasingly limiting their families to one child this book answers a pressing and growing need. It is a book that the parent or partner of an only child will need to understand an only child.The Only Child, written by two authors who are themselves only children, shares the experiences of other onlies, and the stories in this book demonstrate even if someone is without siblings there are millions of others who can understand how they feel.

The only child survival guide., Narcissistic, intolerant, inflexible, unrealistic about personal relationships - spoilt brats, the lot. That's the received wisdom about lone children. Now find out the truth., So it's not just me, after all. Virginia Ironside thought her faults unique, but a book on only children has shown that she is not alone.

Baronness Jill Pitkeathley is a British Labour Party member of the House of Lords, and the author of a number of works of fiction and non-fiction. Her background is in caring and childcare.