Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
39 global ratings
5 star
39%
4 star
32%
3 star
14%
2 star
10%
1 star
6%
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review this product

Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Shelley Hawkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical read
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
For someone debating whether one is enough for our family, this book was a real source of comfort and eased my mind greatly in the most practical way.
Read more
Oregonian
2.0 out of 5 stars Not a very interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
The case for the only child is... If you only want one child, just have one child. The book goes to great lengths to justify this for you, but essentially that is what it tells you.
Read more
Michael P. Mikulski
5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
Excellent resource for couples considering if they want to have one child or have more.
Read more
Daria
4.0 out of 5 stars Liked it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2013
Verified Purchase
I think the book made a lot of valid points. I'll be honest, I skimmed over some areas and skipped others entirely because they weren't and will never be applicable to me, but she does raise a lot of good points that I hadn't really considered before. I appreciate her insight!
Read more
AmericanDoll
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I thought
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
I was looking for a book to validate our decision to be One and Done, and thought she'd have good research on onlies. She does have wonderful research, but she basically talks about how older couples are having onlies. So I guess maybe we are odd for being young but only wanting a single child.
Read more
mlees
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
only child here ... helpful
Read more
Seattle mom
5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched and well explained
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
I liked that this book did a good job of dispelling myths about single children using a breadth of academic research. I recommend it to people thinking about their future families (like me and my spouse), to people who would like a child someday but don't want the chaos (me), or those who have 1 child and are on the fence about more (the audience who the author mainly speaks to directly).
Read more
Emma Veenema
4.0 out of 5 stars It was good to get a number of different views on the ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
It was good to get a number of different views on the benefits of having an only child. I would liked to have seen more statistics about only children - social outcomes, impact on marriages etc rather than so many anecdotes.
Read more
See all reviews

Top reviews from other countries

Irec
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and empowering
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2012
Verified Purchase
In all honesty I read this to make myself feel better and free up guilt of not having another child. It's given me confidence that my one and only gift is indeed just that, a gift - and if I can't face another 9 months of worry, another terror birth and risk yet another 20 months of depression then I don't have too. This book covers some lovely examples of people in their 30s like me who think and know that their life wouldn't be fuller with a second child and that they can manage with one, and that three just works. It hit the right notes with me, and bit by bit I am feeling more confident with my decision. Although American centric, it does cite a few British newspaper extracts but that is the one downside to it. The people and society the book focuses on does feel more American than British, and I feel that the British views of 'stopping at one' are still frowned upon. Maybe it's just more accepted in the States. If you're trying to move on with your decision this book is definitely a good starting point. Good evidence provided for ones, but now I just wnat to find a better word to describe onlies - maybe gifts?
Read more
Sally
1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible!!!
Reviewed in Canada on April 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
I bought this book thinking it was going to give me advantages to having an only child, but instead, it went on and on about the disadvantages of having siblings!! I have siblings myself and had an awesome childhood, and I want siblings for my child too, but with current circumstances, it may not be possible. That's why I got this book, to explore the advantages for the only child in life. I'm not convinced being an only child will be good for my child, and after reading this book, I am certainly not persuaded. Too bad the author seemed so anti-siblings and actually seemed like there were a lot of unresolved anger issues in the life of the author. This was a very disappointing read!!! .... and a bit comical at times (because of the ridiculousness of it all!!!).
Read more
TT
3.0 out of 5 stars informative but unbalanced
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2012
Verified Purchase
i liked the way the chapters were set out in getting you to think about the reasons you are having another child.
however, the content was very one sided and not balanced in some arguments. most people interviewed for the book had negative views about their siblings, hence strenghtening the argument for having one child. they did not include that many siblings are close and get along. this book may be preaching to the already converted.
Read more
See all reviews