My middle child: the protected and the protector. The big and little sister. The teacher and the student. The instigator and the scapegoat. The generous one and the selfish one. The lover and the fighter. The annoyance and the entertainment. The tough one and the tender one. The heroine and the damsel.
When my husband and I started talking about having more kids, we both agreed that an even number would be best, for no other reason than the fact that my husband is a numbers man. He likes even numbers, and I like babies. It is a win-win. I was never a firm believer in the middle child syndrome… until I had a middle child.
This girl. Forever trying to catch up to her older sister’s privileges and accomplishments. She continues to compare herself to her older sister, while still making claims to being too young to clean her room or to know the rules. She went from being the baby to having a baby brother. While our oldest was a pro at welcoming a baby, my second-born was learning what that meant. Competing for attention and mommy-time. She is quick to react and to have her voice be heard. Not wanting to be left out, or left behind.
She needs a little extra love, attention, and encouragement. She usually feels like she’s getting the short end of the stick. She needs reassurance and acceptance. This girl is braver, more confident, more daring, more of a social butterfly – thanks to the shining example of her big sis. I take extra care in showing her that she is big enough, she is smart enough, she is completely unique and original. She will never be her sister – and we love that about her.
This sweet, smart, beautiful, loving, second-born daughter of mine is more than I could imagine. Her heart is full with the love and responsibility of being a big and a little sister. Sometimes these two roles clash and she breaks under pressure. We faithfully build her back up. We work a little harder to keep her feeling loved and wanted. Teaching her confidence and acceptance will be our greatest task. Lord willing, she won’t always be the middle child. But, we will forever pour into this second born and show her just how awesome it can be to be both big and little.
I am the middle child, between two brothers. Being the only girl did give me some special privileges my brothers didn’t get (and that I still get – being daddy’s only girl and all I get to park in the garage whenever I am home). My older brother and I were about four years apart, and my younger brother and i were a little over two years apart. I can definitely relate to all the middle child descriptors you listed!!
I am a middle child, and LOVE it. I always have. I loved having an older sister to look up to, and a younger brother to play rough with. We are all 3-3.5 years apart. My parents learned early that it’s tough to be the middle child and they totally gave me the extra love and attention I needed. My siblings and I follow all the traditional gender roles: The Achiever, the Peacemaker and the Life of the Party 🙂
Love it! Makes me want to go snuggle my #2!!