[Gabz]

Obviously a problem my parents never had, because I was the center of the universe.

Oh, so you were the one competing with my brother that caused him to be the same type jagoff as you, huh????

All kidding aside, I've seen too many only children whose parents were late 30s or early 40s when they were born, just totally turn a blind eye to the fact the kid has no manners.

Heck I saw that for years out of younger couples with a couple of kids and still couldn't understand the lack of control the parents had.

Probably had a lot to do with my attitude about not liking or wanting any myself.

Surprised myself when I found out I was pregnant - I was thrilled!!!

[xsmommy]

i think parenting an only child is more difficult, because you have more time and attention to give them and the become accustomed to that and that can be bad. but the lack of parenting skills transcends all age, race, economic, status barriers. i think it is the inability of people or rather the refusal of people, to see their kids as an extension of themselves, and so they don't control them. well heck, self control is not big in general anymore.

[xsmommy]

and in hobbes' defense, i would have to say i am fairly certain that he would be a jagoff even if he DID have siblings...; )