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3 days ago | 
psychologytoday.com | Susan Newman Ph.D |Michelle Quirk
Source: Geralt / UnsplashFor several decades now, parents have been choosing to have fewer children. But in recent years, an issue that was previously low on the list of priorities has been contributing to this trend. “In times of heightened uncertainty, people are less likely to bring children into the world,” writes Joe Pinsker, who covers families and relationships for The Atlantic. But a new reason why extends beyond uncertainty about finances or the ever-increasing cost of raising a child.
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Nov 18, 2024 | 
qoshe.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
Think some of your family rituals and traditions are just plain silly? Well, sure—we might choose to dial up the hilarity (think ugly sweaters and meme ornaments) to bring the kind of levity we all need in our homes. But celebrating those same sentimental standards—and traditions that go much deeper—can also help us define what family means to us, pass on our values, and draw closer together.
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Oct 24, 2024 | 
psychologytoday.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
Source: Glitch Lab/UnsplashDuring a conversation about becoming a parent, a friend said that having babies at 35 or older are considered “geriatric pregnancies.” I cringed hearing the word “geriatric” used that way and wondered why my friend was so out of touch.
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Oct 24, 2024 | 
qoshe.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
During a conversation about becoming a parent, a friend said that having babies at 35 or older are considered “geriatric pregnancies.” I cringed hearing the word “geriatric” used that way and wondered why my friend was so out of touch.
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Oct 7, 2024 | 
qoshe.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
Aa Aa Aa - A + Is one sibling too many? Based on "dilution theory," one brother or sister could be just that. Whether by choice or circumstance, the only child is the fastest-growing family size worldwide in developed countries even though 80 percent of us grew up with at least one sibling. That statistic is changing rapidly. You and your sibling might get along famously or have never seen eye-to-eye on anything in childhood or now as adults.
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Aug 13, 2024 | 
qoshe.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who fought fiercely for women’s rights, was steadfast in her belief that women and men should have an equal stake in raising kids. This, she was quick to point out, is integral to ensuring gender equality. “Women will have achieved true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation,” she said. “Justice Ginsburg was before her time,” Dr. Julie Graves, a family medicine and public health physician, told me.
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Apr 3, 2024 | 
qoshe.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
Worried that your only child will somehow be disadvantaged in their future career? Outdated and unsupported notions of self-serving employees who aren’t team players have fallen away along with other inaccurate only-child stereotypes. A preponderance of research finds that, in reality, singletons have an edge at work. If anything, the sense of security, not having to fight for attention, and extra support improve an only child’s chances for a productive, fruitful life.
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Feb 20, 2024 | 
psychologytoday.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
Source: Kirk Cameron/UnsplashWe live in a culture that pushes children and judges parents. Everyone wants the best for their children, but how do you combat your own expectations and the criticism—real or imagined—that comes with the parenting territory these days?
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Dec 2, 2023 | 
psychologytoday.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
Source: Gustavo Fring/PexelsShould you tell your children the truth about Santa Claus? Years ago, I asked readers, if so, when? In our house, on Christmas Eve, we left a letter and cookies for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer. Only crumbs remained on the plate Christmas morning, gifts piled neatly under the tree. Yes, we endorsed the Santa Claus myth. And, as our child got older, we had someone else write a quick note from Santa to our son, thinking he might recognize our handwriting.
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Nov 13, 2023 | 
psychologytoday.com | Susan Newman Ph.D
Source: Yan Krukau/PexelsThese days, people telling parents of “only one” that they should have another child is rare. Most people now understand how difficult it is to raise children and the roadblocks some face just to become pregnant. Nonetheless, we might still be inclined to think of a traditional family as mom, dad, and two kids—perhaps even one boy and one girl. That was considered the norm, if not the ideal, forever. At least it felt that way.
