Research shows only children tend to do better in school, have more
friends and are more flexible about gender roles

For most families, one isn't enough. The average American woman will
have two children (the official census statistic is 1.86 children). But some
refreshingly honest parents admit that the decision to have a second
child is often based largely on what's best for the first child, not what's
right for Mom and Dad.

Many people believe children need siblings for companionship and so
they don't grow up spoiled. Parents who buck that trend to raise only
children face the stigma of selfishness.

"That's a terrible reason to have a second child," says Sylvia H., a
jewelry designer and mother of 6-year-old Nick. "I've just never had the urge
for another one. And Nick is such a great kid. He's a good sleeper, he has
a great disposition, and he's smart. My attitude is quit while you're
ahead. Plus, we like our lifestyle now. It's manageable. That's a difficult
thing to say because there aren't many people who feel the same way.
Outsiders think we're being selfish."

As for the playmate issue, Sylvia says Nick has plenty of interaction
with friends, cousins, and classmates. And for those who think Sylvia
doesn't know the joys of siblings, consider that she's one of five and they're
all still very close.

Research seems to be on Sylvia's side, too. According to Bill McKibben,
author of "Maybe One: An Environmental and Personal Argument for
Single-Child Families," studies show that only children tend to do
better in school, especially in science, math, and literature, have more friends,
and are more flexible about gender roles than kids in larger families.

So if you're thinking you might like to stop at one and you want to
talk to some like-minded parents, visit our Parents of Onlies bulletin board.
And cast your vote in one of these polls: How many children do you want?
And how many will you really have?

If you're not sure how many children you want, check out: Are you ready
for another one?