book for parents with one child

The One and Only

“You never know what someone else is going through. People are often quick to judge and assume. They think they have all the answers, that their way is the only way. But unless you’ve walked in someone else’s shoes, you don’tknow. Maybe that’s what the world needs—less judgment and more understanding.” — Sofya Stearns

The One and Only is a powerful collection of real stories exploring the deeply personal journey of raising an only child. Through 40 heartfelt interviews with parents around the world, this book reveals the many paths that lead to having one, whether shaped by infertility, health challenges, adoption, financial realities, or a conscious choice.

With honesty and vulnerability, these families share the emotional and societal pressures they’ve faced, including the stigma often attached to having just onechild. Their stories offer both comfort and clarity, reminding us that every family’s journey is uniquely their own.

The author, herself a mother of one, weaves her story alongside others, including LGBTQ+ couples, who have experienced both the challenges and the unexpected beauty of this path. Whether you are a parent of one, considering but yet contemplating this journey, or supporting someone who is, this book offers encouragement, validation, and understanding.

This is not a manual; it is a collection of real voices, real emotions, real lives, real families. Every chapter will touch your heart, perhaps even make you tear up, but will also remind you that no one walks this journey alone.

“I want women to read my story (and others in this book) and feel understood. I want them to realize that it’s nobody’s businesshow many kids you have—or don’t have. There is so much unnecessary judgment … And what makes it worse is that most of these comments come from other women. We should be lifting each other up, not tearing each other down.”

— Sofya Stearns