Being the middle child can be considered a good thing, but to those like me who are the middle child, it can turn out very badly. Yes, there are perks, but being the child who is not the "firstborn" nor the "baby" can become challenging.
The middle child position is filled by those of us who are trapped in the everlasting "attention seeking" phase. For many of us, it has been a struggle having to live as the second child. Do not get me wrong, parents care about their middle children and I can assure you my parents love me more than anything in the world. With that being said, there are problems that do come along with being in this position in a household.
1. Your name will never be what is on your birth certificate.
The older you get the more you realize your parents have mastered the art of taking the beginning and the end of your other two siblings names and making a new one for you. It is almost like they have time to sit down and create new names to refer to you by. The babbling name game usually ends in "Whatever your name is come here."
2. You are often forgotten about in conversation.
The first born practically hung the moon while the baby of the family is busy doing things every day to impress your parents. Meanwhile, you could have gotten straight A's and written a book and your parents would somehow still forget to mention you in conversation. We do not blame them, it is hard to remember it all sometimes.
3. Equality is never an option between siblings.
No matter if the eldest received one thousand dollars for Christmas every year since they were twelve, if you are given five hundred dollars, that is just how it is going to be. And although you are reminded every day that the youngest "did not have as good of childhood as you", they will always be given more and more items to make up for this previous claim. You must go ahead and try to accept this, sometimes life just is not fair.
4. You are required to help both other siblings.
If you do not spend enough time or help them when they need it, you are automatically the bad guy. You have to find time to manage between the two and a lot of the time you do not even get along with them. Usually if you do not do what is asked, you are the ones getting in trouble even if it is the other two's fault.
5. You can be considered the trouble maker.
Usually called out for being "attention seeking," but your need to cause ruckus will always win out in your life. You can be considered the "rebel" or the one who is "wild." Whether it is the lack of attention you are getting from being the middle child or just a natural tendency you have, this can be a downfall between you and your parents.
6. You will always have complaints from the other two.
If you receive something, the other two will complain why the oldest did not get what you got, and why the youngest is not allowed to have what you got. Somehow, in the end, it will always be your fault. The other two will pick on you and continually get you in trouble. Try to love them regardless!
7. You can have more freedom.
Clearly, you are not as watched as your two other siblings. Therefore, you have much more freedom to do what you want and go where you please. This can mean more time with friends, and less speculation from your parents. Although this can also be considered a bad thing, it works out in most of our favors.
8. You have someone to look up to, and someone who looks up to you.
Having an older sibling means you have someone to go to when you need something but you do not want to ask your parents. They are there for you when they are needed. Having a younger sibling means you have someone to lead and to teach just like you were taught. Being the middle child means you have someone to talk to, and you have someone to listen to.
Not all aspects of being a middle child are negative. There are pros to this long list of cons and most of us can make it work throughout our lives. Being a middle child is a life that just has to be accepted and the perks of it are that we are great people who live fun and spontaneous lives. So heres to being the middle child and having to deal with inequality, and annoying siblings. But here is to also being someone to talk to, someone to look up to others, and someone to cause a bit of trouble that everyone can laugh at later.
