One-child households have doubled over the last two decades making it one of the fastest growing family units in America. The author aids families in understanding the common traits of many adult "onlies"--like shyness, perfection, and intolerance--so that they can better prepare for potential outcomes. He also celebrates the positive qualities of only children and how to encourage characteristics like thoughtfulness, creativity, and ambition. He shed new light on issues that many only-child families encounter such as: (1) attachment problems; (2) conflicts between only child and parent; (3) performance anxiety; (4) unusually high personal expectations; (5) feelings of entitlement; (6) dependence; and (7) problems with risk-taking. With a distinctive focus on long-term effects, this book will help refine and improve daily parenting methods. Parents will welcome these insightful guidelines for the formative influence they wish to provide. Contents include: (1) Introduction; (2) Birth Order and Only-Child Research; (3) Attention: A Matter of Notice; (4) Sensitivity: A Matter of Feeling; (5) Constancy: A Matter of Order; (6) Friendship: A Matter of Loyalty; (7) Willfulness: A Matter of Control; (8) Attachment: A Matter of Intimacy; (9) Conflict: A Matter of Inexperience; (10) Rectitude: A Matter of Correctness; (11) Ambition: A Matter of Achievement; (12) Responsibility: A Matter of Commitment; (13) Possessiveness: A Matter of Ownership; (14) Approval: A Matter of Pleasing; (15) Dependence: A Matter of Holding On; (16) Pressure: A Matter of Demand; (17) Anxiety: A Matter of Loss; and (18) A Final Word: Acceptance--Matter of Appreciation. Appended are: (1) The Ten-Point Survival Plan for Adult Only Children; and (2) Notable Only Children.