Parenting An Only Child

Any parents of only children out there?


I love having one child. Lots of people don't understand. Even before I found out I couldn't have anymore kids, I still though I might be done with one.

There are many advantages and some struggles. This week is a week of struggles. My son just doesn't fit in. He lacks a social maturity of his peers. His ability to navigate the "saviness" of the playground. The other kids cheat at times or manipulate things to get their way. There is a give and take. My son just gets upset. When kids tease (and its not mean at all) he cries. His friends get mad when they lose and he is gracious loser. He does kick their buts in some games.

My son is sweet, sensitive and honest. Things I thought were good qualities yet I feel like have failed him. Somehow he hasn't developed the skills he need to get along with his peers. He cant navigate 3rd grade and is getting left behind. He frustrates his peers.

I have been watching 2nd and 1st graders also this week. At times he is more comfortable with them but lately he gets frustrated with them. For the same reasons his 3rd grade friends get frustrated with him. Leaving him in no mans land in the middle. He is also the youngest kid in his class.


Have I screwed up as a parent? I had him in a friendship club this year at school to work on social skills, he plays a sport, belongs to Sunday school, I do play dates and this babysitting so he gets the exposure to other kids.

Any ideas?