Only Children - social club

[Anonymous]

If you are raising an only child, or were raised as an only child, would you join a social club for "only" children?

The kids get to make friends with other only children (who share at least one thing in common with them). The parents (who were only children) get to advice other parents raising only children, and their kids (however many) get to socialize with the "only" children, thereby expanding their social circle (friend who are more like cousins?).

This would not replace their usual.social circles but would expand it. Regular meetups would center around outdoor nature-based activities (hikes, bike rides, picnics, festivals, etc).

Appreciate comments from folks who are in either category.

[Anonymous]

I think that's stupid. There's no advantage to being friends with an only child if you are one. Just be friends with whoever you like.

[Anonymous]

Parent of an only. No. It seems sad. My kid would not want to be singled out that way. Only children are not that special.

[Anonymous]

No interest. It works better if you just do this organically. And don't limit your kid to other onlies! My kid has lots of friends with siblings.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I’m an only raising an only. My kid has never had trouble making friends. He is 9 and on weekends when he isn’t at his baseball or soccer games, he is playing in the neighborhood with his group of friends.

I think it is a myth that only children are weird, loners, antisocial, selfish, etc.

[Anonymous]

Agree have an only and would not join. So tired of the only stereotype. My child is social, happy, popular, kind, funny, curious, smart. He has plenty of friends and sibling friends. As a parent I really resent the implications that something is wrong with them, me, our family.

[Anonymous]

I am not an only but am raising an only.
No I wouldn’t.
I joined a moms club when DD was a baby that welcomed everyone. That provided a good social outlet for us both. She’s a young teen now and does great socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No interest. It works better if you just do this organically. And don't limit your kid to other onlies! My kid has lots of friends with siblings.

I myself am an only child as and really dislike this idea!

I have gravitated to other only children over time - a number of my closest friends from HS onward have been onlies. But it was organic.

I have 2 kids and my older has a bunch of friends who are onlies and some of them really enjoy our younger sib as well.

[Anonymous]

No. Organize or volunteer at a soccer league, a robotics club, something else.

[Anonymous]

By third grade kids have friends based on personality and interest so this would work only for young kids.

[Anonymous]

No. Singles them out.

[Anonymous]

I'm an only raising an only. I wouldn't be particularly interested in this. There's nothing wrong with only children - they don't need to be singled out like they can't socialize normally.

[Anonymous]

My kid is 4 but we have so many plans or offers to hang out with people we are already friends with- and like doing things ourselves. Doesnt anyone have time for another social group with new people?

[Anonymous]

Parent of a tween only here. I see the appeal for younger kids or kids who continue to feel lonely as onlies. But agree with others that it will single them out and it’s better a process that should happen organically.

[Anonymous]

Being an only child isn’t a disability and thus doesn’t need to be treated as such.