| Many experts have studied the placement of | | | | accomplishments of the middle child and make |
| children in the birth order of the family | | | | sure that praise is given where it is |
| unit and have discovered that each group | | | | deserved. You should also try not to compare |
| displays certain traits and characteristics. | | | | your children with each other. Holding one |
| Oldest children tend to be born leaders while | | | | child apart as the role model can be |
| younger children tend to be affectionate and | | | | detrimental to the development of self esteem |
| creative. Middle children characteristics are | | | | in the others. |
| a little harder to pinpoint as these | | | | |
| youngsters usually stand apart from the other | | | | You also need to encourage your children to |
| children. | | | | work out their disagreements on their own. |
| | | | The middle child may become too dependent on |
| Growing up as a middle child can make the | | | | you to fix his problems. Children can learn |
| youngster feel like they go unnoticed by his | | | | good negotiating and diplomacy skills from |
| parents. The oldest children are held in high | | | | solving their problems between each other on |
| esteem due to their accomplishments while the | | | | their own. |
| youngest are coddled and babied. The middle | | | | |
| child may feel as if he has to struggle just | | | | You may need to spend some extra quality time |
| to get noticed. Parents tend to expect more | | | | with your middle child. Oldest and youngest |
| from their youngest and oldest children as it | | | | children seem to need your attention more |
| may be difficult for them to define their | | | | than the middle child does, which is |
| expectations for the middle child. In most | | | | oftentimes misleading. The middle child may |
| cases, parents may have taken pictures and | | | | not seem to want your attention due to the |
| documented every "first" that their oldest | | | | fact that many middle children are often more |
| child did and may have lightened up these | | | | emotionally withdrawn and distant from the |
| efforts in relationship to the second child. | | | | rest of the family than their siblings. This |
| While the parents may have done this as a | | | | is an even greater reason to spend more time |
| result of being more relaxed about their | | | | with them. |
| second experience at parenthood, a middle | | | | |
| child may view this as solid proof that they | | | | There are some good traits that are exhibited |
| mean less to their parents than their older | | | | by middle children. These children grow up to |
| sibling. | | | | be more independent and are born mediators |
| | | | and negotiators. They also tend to "go their |
| The middle child may also constantly compare | | | | own way" when dealing with established ideas. |
| themselves to the other siblings, especially | | | | They are innovators and thinkers. Some famous |
| the older ones. He may seek interests in | | | | middle children include J.F.K., Madonna, |
| different areas that will allow them to stand | | | | Donald Trump, Barbara Walters, and Bill |
| apart from their elder. This | | | | Gates. Each of these people is an example of |
| attention-seeking attitude also tends to make | | | | just how successful middle children can |
| the middle children the "risk-takers," often | | | | become with a little extra encouragement from |
| participating in dangerous sports or choosing | | | | their parents. Each of them have "gone their |
| careers that have an element of danger and/or | | | | own way" and become role models for others. |
| risks involved. | | | | By supporting your middle child in his |
| | | | tendency to go against the status quo, he may |
| Parents can take several steps to ensure that | | | | grow to be as successful as some of these |
| their middle child evolves into a happy and | | | | middle children have become. The |
| healthy adult. They need to focus on the | | | | possibilities are endless. |