"SHARING LOVE AND STAYING LOYAL"
"COLLEGE ROOMMATE WANTED"
"ADOPTION AND THE ONLY CHILD"

INTERVIEW WITH THE MORRIS FAMILY: Brittani Morris and her parents are representative of many only child families. They are intensely loyal, close, and loving. In order to save money and pay off college loans after graduation, Brittani moved back in with with her parents. The family talks about their relationship and the fulfillment they have realized as an only child family.

SHARING LOVE AND STAYING LOYAL: This is the fifth installment of Dr. Carl Pickhardt's series on separation anxiety. Dr. Pickhardt examines the conflicts only children and their parents may experience when an only child falls in love and establishes new family ties. Because of this exclusive love, the attachment between parents and child becomes very secure, and a strong sense of loyalty, an allegiance to each other’s well being typically develops. On both sides of the relationship each wants to do right by the other and treats the welfare of each other as a high priority. When the only child leaves home in his or her early twenties and starts to become independent, the sense of loyalty to parents is often increased by obligation expressed in a variety of ways.

ONLY CHILD PROFILE: ALAN GREENSPAN The most powerful only child in America wasn't always interested in economics. Originally, he wanted to be a musician but realized that he was better at working with numbers than with notes.

ROOMMATE WANTED: Alexis Nicole, a college sophomore, talks about the fears and realities of sharing life with roommates. I have never had to share a room. Like most only children, I live a rather quiet life. My mother, father and I have a sweet, relaxed household. I can retreat to my room at any time, just to be alone. I never imagined that my way of life would be interrupted by dorm life, the official beginning of roommate life. Most college freshmen don’t meet their roommates before school starts, and that’s how it was for me. I remember tearfully asking my parents if my roommate would be a psycho. What if she’s an alcoholic, an ex-con, a crackhead? I was terrified of sharing a room the size of my foot with a complete stranger.

ADOPTION AND THE ONLY CHILD: Many adopted children are only children in their adopted families but may have siblings they have never met. Like many only children, adopted only children enjoy the undivided attention of their parents, sometimes request a brother or sister, and are concerned about caring for aging parents. Adoptive and non-adoptive only child families share many of the same concerns, needs, and dreams. There are, however, issues that are specific to only child adoptive families that non-adoptive only child families do not experience. Marlou Russell gives advice on how to give adoptees the information and support they need.

DEAR ONLY CHILD: Only Child offers advice and answers your questions.