Middle children exhibit the widest amount of traits. It is pretty much a given that they will be different than their older sibling. But their differences can manifest in a variety of ways. But many middle children do exhibit the following traits.
Middle-born Traits
- Flexible
- Easy Going
- Peacemaker – can see all sides of a situation
- Social – may not feel like they have a special place in the family so friends become more important
- Generous – they are used to sharing
- Secretive – don’t openly share their feelings
- Adaptable
- Avoids conflict – tries to keep life smooth
- May feel life is unfair
- Become a problem child if discouraged
- Independent
- Inventive – more likely to be an entrepreneur than a CEO
- May become codependent as they try to please everybody
- May feel unloved
- Strong negotiator
Parenting the Middle-born Child
Psychologist Kevin Leman in his book “The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are” gives parents some tips on raising their middle child.
Listen to them.
Middle children often feel that no one listens to them and they have a harder time sharing their feelings. “Although it’s important to set aside time to talk to all of your children, it’s particularly important to make this happen with the middle child because he is least likely to insist on his fair share of time.”
Cultivate their talents.
Find out what is special or unique about your child and help them develop their talents. Don’t compare your middle child to your oldest.
Allow them to make decisions.
“Empower your middle child and make him feel special by allowing him to make choices such as who gets to bowl first or what the family will eat for dessert. This will help alleviate feelings of always being overshadowed by older and younger siblings.”
Update the Family Album
“This may sound silly but it truly is important. There tend to be a billion photos of the firstborn and about six of the next child. To a child flipping through the family album, this is a sure sign that he’s not loved as much. Be sure to have photos of the middle child alone, not always paired with the older sibling.”
Fun Middle-born Facts
- Middle Children are generally successful in team sports like Magic Johnson.
- They are excellent managers due to strong negotiating skills.
- They are often entrepreneurs.
- Some famous middle-children include: Jay Leno, Donald Trump, Barbara Walters, and Susan B. Anthony.
Other Blogs on Birth Order
“Does Birth Order Affect Personality?”
“Parenting Your Oldest Child – What to Expect and Do”.
“Parenting Your Youngest Child – What to Expect and Do.”
“Parenting Your Only Child – What to Expect and Do.”