What is the most common concern other people have about your only child? In my world, it's socialization. If I had a dollar for every time I heard "only children are loners" or "only children are awkward" or "she needs a playmate or she'll be weird," I could retire now, at the ripe old age of 29. Only children are no more awkward or lonely than any other subset of children. Still, only children do need time to interact and play with other kids. We parents of onlies need to plan ahead to make sure we meet that need.
Here are some suggestions for planning social time for your only child:
Day care. Day care is often criticised, but a good one can be invaluable for your only child. At our day care, my daughter learns to wait her turn, share toys, play with other kids, and generally get along with people. When she can't go, she misses it, and I can see the difference in her manners and social skills when she's there on a regular basis.
MOPS. There are several Moms of PreSchoolers groups in my area, and I bet there are some in yours, too.
Your church. Many churches have a nursery in which kids can hang out and play during the Sunday and Wednesday services. In addition, they may have kids' activities that you can sign up for, outside of the nursery time.
Commercial classes. Gymboree , My-Gym , Kindermusic and others offer opportunities to get in there and meet other kids.
The baby aisle. Okay, you might think this is lame, but it works. The next time you're buying formula or diapers or whatever, strike up a conversation with another mom. It could lead to a play date for your kid.
Have a party! Invite all of your friends with kids (or your only's friends and their parents) over for dinner, for a picnic, or whatever event suits your lifestyle.
Go on a field trip. Visit local museums, parks, or playgrounds where lots of kids hang out. Encourage your child to join in the play.
Join a team sport. Soccer, t-ball, midget football, cheerleading... The list goes on and on, and all of the team sports require kids to get along with each other. Contact the local school district or rec board to find out what teams/leagues are available.
Learn something. While we're talking about rec boards, many of them offer classes in yoga, Spanish, dancing, and a plethora of other subjects where your only could interact with other kids.
Consignment stores. Many consignment stores have a place for parents to post events. Check all of your local ones for announcements that you and your only might be interested in.
As you look for activities for your child to participate in, remember to keep his other needs in mind. Don't overwhelm or overschedule him; he needs down time, too. Tags: only childrensocializing
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