Middle children often get to be the butt of the joke. Overlooked, underappreciated, and forgotten. But did you know that more than half of U.S. presidents were middle children? Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy were all middleborns. Got to get that attention somehow… Wondering what it’s like being a middle child? We’ve got just the compilation for you! Here’s a list of the funniest posts and tweets about the fate of the middle child. As a middle child myself, I can say that I relate to most of them. And I agree that Kevin from Home Alone should’ve been a middle child. No one has ever forgotten the youngest one in my family; that honor was always bestowed upon me! To know whether ‘middle child syndrome’ is true, Bored Panda reached out to Pediatric Neuropsychologist Dr. Rita Eichenstein. She’s the author of Not What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children, and she kindly agreed to talk to us about the life of middle children. Read her expert insights below! “Each family structure is different, and it depends on the temperament, learning style, and resilience of the child.” However, she also points out that middle children tend to have some common traits. “Middle children might differ from their siblings in behavior and relationships, but these differences aren’t universal. It’s important for parents to acknowledge each child’s individuality, provide equal attention, and avoid comparisons.” So, what are these common traits? “The middle child tends to make their own comparisons, so it’s important to let them know how special they are in their own way,” Dr. Eichenstein says. “Ultimately, every family is different, and while middle children in larger families might sometimes feel lost, generalizations are difficult. Parents can support middle children by celebrating their unique strengths and ensuring they feel valued,” she tells us. “Middle children can sometimes feel lost between the eldest’s dominant leadership and the youngest’s knack for getting attention. It’s crucial to ensure middle children feel noticed and valued,” Dr. Eichenstein emphasizes. “Some middle children may prefer staying ‘under the radar’ and develop independence and self-reliance.” And then there are also sibling relationships. They also form our personalities, depending on whether we’re the oldest, the middle, or the youngest child. And let’s not forget those who are only children; they have their unique characteristics as well. Experts say they’re mature for their age, diligent, perfectionist leaders. But that’s in broad strokes, of course. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
