How not to spoil an only child

[HowManyDucks]

I have a 1 year old DD. She will be an only child. It suddenly occurred to me that her environment may not be ideal for ultimately learning that she isn't the centre of the universe! . She hasn't ever heard a raise voice and rarely has to do something she doesn't want to do. I don't spoil her with material stuff but I probably do my time. She chooses what toys she wants to play with, what story she'd like to read etc. I remember always having to work it out and compromise with my siblings growing up. Im firm with my boundaries but honestly I don't have very many, they are mostly there for safety. Any tips or advice welcome.

Just one thing I thought of this evening. I've been saying "do you want to go to the park?" , "would you like a story?" Etc. kind of on automatic. I am going to change this to "let's go to the park!" Or "Time for a story". In other words turning questions in to statements. Ill still give her choices but will try to make sure it's me doing the leading from now on. Its a small change but at the moment I feel like my language is suggesting she is in charge and it makes me cringe when I hear myself.

That’s a good idea whether you have one or five - choices are difficult for little ones, and, like you say, you’re in charge.

Omg I wish mine would say shhh and lead us all to bed 🤣. That's too cute. Like yes hun!! Yes... you absolutely CAN go to bed! X

Honestly op I wouldn’t worry too much - I went (and still go) through all the same thought processes and my DD is 6.

She is an ‘only’ not by our choice, so there is a lot of emotion, guilt and baggage attached to it.

We’re lucky that we have a wide circle of friends with kids of similar ages and she has cousins, so we spend a lot of time with them and do group days out and holidays etc.

She's been in nursery since she was one and thrives at school, with a lovely friendship
group. We put a lot of time and attention into playing and doing stuff with her, but equally she has to come along to the supermarket/b&q/visit elderly relatives and multiple other activities she finds boring.

I have to be careful not to say yes ti everything, but also to make sure I’m not catastrophising and attributing every bit of bad behaviour to her being an only child. It’s really not!

Your DD is still only a baby really, so you don’t need to worry right now ❤️

Have lots of friends round and encourage her to see cousins, family friends and grandparents.

Have given my only DC in the world all the love possible and plenty of toys etc. She is one of the most generous kids I know / never ever been funny about sharing her toys, is a very adaptable calm, funny soul. Never asks for anything much, accepts disappointment without a fuss. I didn’t do anything special. I think the whole “spoilt single child” narrative is a myth created to encourage breeding back in the day!