Will an only child be disadvantaged socially/emotionally

[Beezee098]

I don't know many ppl who wer only children. I have a nearly 3 yr old boy and I'm worried he misses out not having siblings. E.g.today at the Park the kids wer older than him. He approached them several times but was ignored. He sees cousins weekly and has the time of his life but on a day to day basis he's around adults. I'm worried his confidence and social development may become stunted. I'm an Introvert whereas his dad is extrovert. I love how happy he is to see other kids and approaches them. Some kids reciprocate but i feel for him when they don't interact back with him.

I’m an only child and so is my DS. Does your DS attend nursery? If not then it’s good for him to start at 3 (the 15 hours etc) for him to experience mixing with others, learning to share/take turns, make friends etc. My DS is 9 now but we have always ensured that he does activities to ensure that he is mixing with others ie Beavers/Cubs (there is now Squirrels for age 4-6 years), swim lessons, various sports etc. Do play dates once at school.

In regards to the older kids ignoring him at the park - this is normal and don’t worry about it. Older kids have nothing in common with a random almost 3yo at the park, and I’d be more watching that none of them are pushing him around instead.

He'll be going nursery 2 days a week so hopefully that will help. I just don't want my social anxiety to rub off on him. I really do hope he goes after his dad in that respect. Thnx for ur advice

I wouldn't worry at this age. He's only 2. Many first born children wouldn't have siblings at this age.
I have an only child. Always took her to play groups and then nursery, lots of play dates and interacting with other kids and family members. She starts secondary school this year and has lots of good friends (thankfully!).

I used to love the feeling of having my parents to myself, and felt sorry for my friend that she had to share hers with her sister. (Her Dsis was a pita so I wasn't jealous!) Make sure your lo gets lots of interaction with other kids.

I grew up as an only child. I didn't like it for many reasons, but it didn't harm me socially. My parents made sure I went to nursery, groups and activities with other children my age, arranged lots of play dates when I started school and I was never short of friends because of this. Just make sure your putting in a bit of extra effort with play dates and activities and he'll be fine.

Absolutely not.

I'm an only as is my adult dd.