Having only one child, either by choice or because one is unable to have more than one child, leaves a parent of only one child with both advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages of having only one child is the parent has more time to lavish on just one, whereas if there are multiple children, close in age, time must be divided between the children. Why is it sometimes there is a parent with one child and that child is a sweet well rounded child, polite and considerate of all he/she meets and then there is another in the same circumstances with a bonafide brat in every sense of the word.
A disadvantage of being a parent with only one child is there are no built in playmates within the home to help keep the child occupied. The parents have to do everything for the child including playing with him/her and often times the parents allow the child to always win the game. When the child does go play with other children, this isn't the case. They may be the loser and it goes over like a lead balloon. They aren't in the habit of losing any games and they are "brats" and don't aim to take losing this one sitting down. To prevent this, when playing with your child at home, win on occasion. Get your child used to the real world.
The differences in parenting methods influences the development of children. When a parent has a child there is a period of time when that is the only child they have. All parents fall into this category for a period of time, some longer than others. When the first child arrives, the parent is so taken back by the charm of being a parent to this adorable bundle. They may feel they could never love another as much as they do this one. From the time the child is born, every wish is the parents first priority. The parents try to get every thing the child wants without thinking through whether the child needs the thing requested or not. Some parents even allow children to behave dangerously simply because they fear their children's feelings will be hurt if they say "no" to them. Instead of telling them "no" to any given situation, they try to negotiate with the children to change the child's mind. That's not an appropriate method of parenting. That is a recipe for disaster.
Another thing which makes for a brat is buying anything a child sees and wants even if it puts the household into a financial bind. All parents cannot afford a new car for every child on their sixteenth birthday and if one can't, don't feel guilty about getting a good used car or having the child wait until they can help pay for a car themselves. It's not the end of the world if a child doesn't get every wish fulfilled. On the contrary, it is a good lesson for the real world when they grow up into adulthood and are on their own, when there is no more "Bank of Parents" to draw on.
On the issue of being over-protective of an only child, it is hard for a loving, caring parent not to be over protective of all their children, whether one or twelve. There are so many dangers in the big world waiting to devour our children, we yearn to protect them as long as earthly possible. Being over-protective is following them to school everyday, or even obtaining employment in the school cafeteria so one can watch the child on a daily basis. It has been known to happen. A parent must teach their child values and safety measures and learn to discipline themselves to let go when their children becomes old enough to be away from their care.
There is no easy way to raise a child. All of us who have already raised our children can look back and see things we wish we had done differently. The biggie in parenting is to do the very best you can at the time. Remember, your child isn't the only one on the planet. There are any number of parents who have children they love equally as much as you love yours and children who are equally as gifted and talented and deserving as yours. You, as a parent, are doing your child an injustice if you teach them they are superior to others. Teach them all are created equal and to be kind to everyone. In the years to come you will see a well liked, thriving young adult. Isn't that all our goals as parents?