Just One

The New Science, Secrets & Joy of Parenting an Only Child

Susan Newman

$46.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Globe Pequot Press
15 July 2025

Family & relationships; Advice on parenting; Pregnancy, birth & baby care

One of the most impactful, life-altering—and for many, if not most—difficult choices men and women make involves determining how many children to have. With more women wanting or having to work and the cost of raising children rising, the number of one-child families has increased markedly and is quietly becoming the “new normal.” But, that fact alone doesn’t clarify what is desired or plausible given an individual’s situation.

What psychologist Susan Newman has learned during her most recent study (the fourth on the subject of roughly 100 subjects each) from only children and their parents will help readers wrestle with concerns, whether they are deciding their family size or parenting one child right now. Just One: The New Science, Secrets and Joy of Parenting an Only Child sorts out the most frequently asked and nagging questions:

• Is one child enough for me?

• Am I being selfish by limiting my family to one child?

• Does my child need a sibling?

• How do I raise an empathetic, responsible, content only child?

• Is the burden of caring for aging or ill parents too much for one child?

The answers are quite different from what they were some 30 years ago when Newman had her only child, and responses have changed mightily over the last decade as well. The perspective of other parents and adult only children will comfort readers who are still “on the fence” about keeping their child an only child and those who face infertility. And, the book will guide parents raising an only child by providing specific and reassuring advice brought to life by personal stories and the latest academic research.

Most significantly, the new insights demonstrate not only how attitudes about family size have shifted, but also why the stereotypes that stubbornly clung to only children have all but disappeared at the same time societal pressure put on people of childbearing age to multiply has eased. The open enthusiasm about having or being an only child is apparent in supporting personal comments. Collectively, the stories and data reveal a stark rethinking of what it means to be a family and provide a greater understanding of why more parents are embracing the idea of “just one.”

By: Susan Newman
Imprint: Globe Pequot Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781493088584
ISBN 10: 1493088580
Pages: 230
Publication Date: 15 July 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Susan Newman, Ph.D. is a social psychologist researching and writing about parenting concerns, family dynamics and trends. She has been a regular contributor to Psychology Today for more than 15 years and to U.S. News & World Report since 2017. Dr. Newman's research and books examine building strong family bonds, raising only children and strengthening relationships with adult children, as well as the difficulties of raising a family and working. A list of published books follows. Dr. Newman has been named one of the “25 Parenting Educators to Follow” by Roots of Action and one of the top 100 psychologists to follow on Twitter by Careers in Psychology. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, ABC’s 20/20, CNN, CBS Sunday Morning and MSNBC, as well as many television and radio shows throughout the country, including NPR’s Talk of the Nation and Marketplace, NBC Nightly News, CBS and Fox News discussing breaking news and parenting issues. Her work has been featured on Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, WebMD, AARP and other influential websites as well as in Harvard Magazine, Woman’s Day, Parents, Cosmopolitan, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, London Telegraph, Today’s Parent (Canada), The Times of India and other major newspapers and magazines in and outside the U.S. Dr. Newman is a graduate of Northwestern University and was a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, The Authors Guild and the American Society for Journalists and Authors, and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children.

Reviews for Just One: The New Science, Secrets & Joy of Parenting an Only Child

""One and done, or unsure? Susan Newman redefines what it means to be a family with one child today. She takes any stress or worry out of the equation by delivering thoughtful answers to those struggling 'on the fence' and indispensable suggestions to those wanting to raise a compassionate, content, and independent only child.""--Guy Winch, PhD, psychologist, author of Emotional First Aid ""Just One is a beacon of clarity in helping you decide on one child or more. It addresses the emotional tug-of-war and real-world challenges parents and prospective parents face, making a compelling case for the benefits of having an only child. It offers pitch-perfect advice for each stage of the one-child parenting journey-- it's like having your own private parenting coach who shares strategies, solutions, and mindsets for confident single-child parenting."" --Alice Boyes, PhD, author of The Anxiety Toolkit ""Just One is a supportive, science-backed, insightful guide that underscores the unique strengths of only children while addressing common concerns. With her characteristic warmth, Susan Newman dismantles the stereotypes and offers reams of actionable and empowering advice. A must-read for anyone seeking to embrace the possibilities and joy of raising an only child! --Phyllis L. Fagell, licensed therapist, school counselor, author of Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond and Middle School Superpowers ""Just One is packed with fresh perspective, keen observations, and its insights and practical advice reassure parents and those still deciding. It's a timely, must have book for working through and living the joys and challenges of the one-child decision, showing that family isn't about size--it's about love."" --Hannah Howard, author of Feast: True Love in and out of the Kitchen and Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family ""A thoughtful, unapologetic exploration and celebration of the one-child family. With her decades of expertise and hundreds of interviews with only children and parents of only children over the years, Susan Newman is uniquely attuned to the concerns and the delights of this increasingly popular family type."" --Bella DePaulo, PhD, author of Single at Heart: The Power, Freedom, and Heart-Filling Joy of Single Life ""At long last we have a new definition of family-- the one-child family is no longer an oddity, but a preferred choice with surprising benefits for both parent and child. Dr. Newman lets us know why one child may well be your answer for the world we live in now."" --Michele Borba, EdD, Educational Psychologist and author of Thrivers and UnSelfie ""Is one child enough for me? No sibling--am I cheating my child? Just One expertly answers the pressing questions that arise when considering family size. Drawing from cutting-edge research and intimate stories of only children and their parents, Newman offers reassuring guidance for those navigating this deeply personal decision."" --Amy McCready, parenting coach and author of The ""Me, Me, Me"" Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World ""Susan Newman has done it again! Just One celebrates the unique happiness and wonder parents experience raising an only child. With positive inspiration, it dispels the myths of family size and the unfounded criticism parents of only children have faced. Susan offers a gentle, guiding hand with tips and spot-on support. Considering the growing popularity of only-child families, Just One is a much-needed breath of fresh air!""--Sean Grover, LCSW, author of When Kids Call the Shots