Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Middle Child

The classic middle child is a people pleaser who hates confrontation. They are usually calm, down to earth and great listeners. And they make excellent negotiators. Middle kids are usually less driven than their older sibling, but more eager to be liked - that's why they have trouble setting limits.

If you are a second or middle born you are probably the very opposite of the first-born. Behavior traits of the middle child are not as firmly etched as the first-born because their role model is usually not the parents as much as friends. Friends are very important to this birth order. Also, the middle will observe the first and pick up some traits there or decide to go in the opposite direction.

Middle children often feels their older sibling gets all the glory while their younger sibling escapes all the discipline. Because the middle child feels that the world pays him less attention, he tends to be secretive and does not openly share their thoughts and feelings.
There is actually a diagnosis that has been given to middle children called "middle child syndrome". This cause a lack of self-confidence, a tendency to be a follower and not to have a focus or drive in life. They tend to be shy and not like to be the center of attention. They are not good at working under pressure or doing monotonous work.

But all is not negative about the middle child. They can be extremely artistic and creative. They do best with a flexible schedule and a variety of projects in their life. The sibling they get along best with in usually the youngest.

Always remembering that just like personality, these are just possibilities and areas to be aware of but ultimately if we follow Christ we are becoming more and more like Him and He is changing those areas in our lives that need to be changed. He created us just like we are and knew what our personality would be and what family we would be part of. It is all part of His plan for us as we submit our lives more and more to Him.
" Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" Psalm 139:16,17

For more information on the middle child go to:

2 comments:

betty said...

This is all so familliar, Kathy! :) I do thank The Lord for the help and transforming power of the Holy Spirit!!

CoachK said...

Yes Amen! When I read the traits of the "Baby" of the family I repeated those same thoughts. :-)