Singletons

Bias

What Sexists, Ageists, and Only-Child Skeptics Have in Common

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 24, 2025

Stereotype whiplash affects almost all of us. You're likely holding on to mistaken beliefs about older people, men or women, and/or children who have no siblings. Read why.

Stereotype whiplash affects almost all of us. You're likely holding on to mistaken beliefs about older people, men or women, and/or children who have no siblings. Read why.

Family Dynamics

The Rise of Only-Child Dynasties

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 23, 2025

Generation after generation, the two-child norm is fading.

Generation after generation, the two-child norm is fading.

Career

Is an Only Child Enough?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on August 22, 2025

Increasingly, parents are having only children. Emotional and practical factors are driving the trend.

Increasingly, parents are having only children. Emotional and practical factors are driving the trend.

Parenting

Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Single Mother?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on July 30, 2025

The realities of single motherhood: Do you have the attitude and special traits of women who choose to raise a child solo?

The realities of single motherhood: Do you have the attitude and special traits of women who choose to raise a child solo?

Environment

Is It Wise to Bring a Child Into Our Warming World?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on June 24, 2025

Have you considered the impact of climate change in your childbearing decisions? Could having one fewer child save the planet?

Have you considered the impact of climate change in your childbearing decisions? Could having one fewer child save the planet?

Parenting

Is Overprotective Parenting Harming Your Child?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on June 19, 2025

Does your state have a "Reasonable Childhood Independence" law? Learn what it is, how it protects parents, and why it's a boon for raising capable, independent children.

Does your state have a "Reasonable Childhood Independence" law? Learn what it is, how it protects parents, and why it's a boon for raising capable, independent children.

Parenting

Bonuses for Babies: From Scare Tactics to Tax Breaks

Susan Newman Ph.D. on May 29, 2025

Incentives to increase birth rates are unique, even quirky. Which one would you take? Or, are key lifestyle concerns more influential in deciding how many children to have?

Incentives to increase birth rates are unique, even quirky. Which one would you take? Or, are key lifestyle concerns more influential in deciding how many children to have?

Parenting

How Parents Can Avoid the Achievement Trap

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 28, 2025

Spend agenda-less time getting to know your children.

Spend agenda-less time getting to know your children.

Free Will

Free Will May Not Be as Free as You Think

Susan Newman Ph.D. on February 11, 2025

What do you think it means to have free will? What does free will have to do with major life decisions?

What do you think it means to have free will? What does free will have to do with major life decisions?

Wisdom

Valuable “Old Lady” Lessons Children Need to Know

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 20, 2025

Intergenerational bonds are developmentally enriching. Discover what you may be ignoring and why and how to share grandparents' and older adults’ hard-earned wisdom with children.

Intergenerational bonds are developmentally enriching. Discover what you may be ignoring and why and how to share grandparents' and older adults’ hard-earned wisdom with children.

Happiness

The Power of Family Traditions: Count the Ways

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 18, 2024

Science shows traditions have a lasting impact—and not just a sentimental one. Here's why and how to create—or continue—family rituals.

Science shows traditions have a lasting impact—and not just a sentimental one. Here's why and how to create—or continue—family rituals.

Pregnancy

The Label Expectant Mothers Over 35 Don’t Want to Hear

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 24, 2024

Over age 35 and expecting? Look beyond the unflattering "geriatric" label to the science supporting healthy “later” pregnancies.

Over age 35 and expecting? Look beyond the unflattering "geriatric" label to the science supporting healthy “later” pregnancies.

Family Dynamics

Is One Sibling Too Many?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on October 7, 2024

Whether by choice or circumstance, birth rates keep falling and the number of only children keeps rising. Read reasons why only children are at a measurable advantage.

Whether by choice or circumstance, birth rates keep falling and the number of only children keeps rising. Read reasons why only children are at a measurable advantage.

Gender

Where Have the Helpful Dads Gone?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on August 13, 2024

During the pandemic, men stepped up. Why are some men and women sliding back into the old gender roles of the 1920s?

During the pandemic, men stepped up. Why are some men and women sliding back into the old gender roles of the 1920s?

Career

Why Only Children Are Poised to Succeed at Work

Susan Newman Ph.D. on April 3, 2024

Only children have an edge in the work world. Here’s why.

Only children have an edge in the work world. Here’s why.

Parenting

Are You Being Held Hostage by the Parenting ShouldStorm?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on February 20, 2024

Being the “perfect parent” isn’t good for you or your child. Here’s why and how to adopt a new 3-step approach that will make you both happier.

Being the “perfect parent” isn’t good for you or your child. Here’s why and how to adopt a new 3-step approach that will make you both happier.

Parenting

Who Wants to Talk to a Kid About Sex and Death?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on January 17, 2024

Why and how you should have difficult and touchy conversations about sex and death with your children—starting at an early age.

Why and how you should have difficult and touchy conversations about sex and death with your children—starting at an early age.

Parenting

Should Parents Go Along With the Santa Myth?

Susan Newman Ph.D. on December 2, 2023

Will you promote the Santa myth in your house? Is that a good thing? Will you tell your children the truth if asked?

Will you promote the Santa myth in your house? Is that a good thing? Will you tell your children the truth if asked?

Pregnancy

The Well-Kept Secret About Only Children

Susan Newman Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

When I had my son a few decades ago, people asked, "When are you having another?" That is happening less and less and in most circles not at all. Here's why.

When I had my son a few decades ago, people asked, "When are you having another?" That is happening less and less and in most circles not at all. Here's why.

Family Dynamics

The Biggest Benefit, and Top Risk, of Being an Only Child

Susan Newman Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

"Sometimes I wonder, ‘Who am I separate from her?’"

"Sometimes I wonder, ‘Who am I separate from her?’"