There is a serious condition in today's society that many people overlook. It is known as "Middle Child Syndrome." Essentially, this is an emotionally scarring condition, in which the middle children are treated differently than the oldest (a.k.a. the favorite) and the youngest (a.k.a. the baby), and then there's the middle child who just happened to be born second. "Middle Child Syndrome" may and will include neglect, forgotten birthdays and, in severe cases, forgetting their existence. However harsh this syndrome may seem, good news: it is not fatal! For the middle children out there, here are just a few struggles we all suffer through while living with "Middle Child Syndrome."
The oldest sets the stage for rule, parents are so excited about their first born child. But, when it comes to making rules, parents are still just figuring it out. There is some inconsistency to them. Rules are eventually made, but enforcement is lenient. By the time the second child comes around, parents are zeroed in on the rules and how to enforce them. This child takes the brunt of the consequences. No wonder they slightly rebel, especially if the oldest is anything like my brother and rubs in the fact he was never punished to that extreme. However, the rebellion only grows when the third child or the baby of the family is born. At this point, parents are exhausted from dealing with the "problem" child and rules no longer apply to them; therefore, consequences are a thing of the past. This instigates the middle child's rebellious behavior, and the so called "Middle Child Syndrome" escalates.
The fuel for the fire only grows as they do. The constant sharing of all things from a bed, bath time, wardrobes, and our favorite Barbie dolls, truly puts the nail in the coffin. Is nothing a personal item? Not when you are the middle child. From passed down sporting items from my brother to being forced to allow my sister to play with my toys, the idea of sharing became a real problem. It's no wonder the middle child throws constant tantrums pleading for their own...anything.
Shall we even get started on the numerous times the middle child is forgotten. Not too long ago my mother was excited about getting a dog. She said she had started going through "empty nest syndrome." I sat at the dinner table as she said this, looked her in the eye and said, "You know I still live here right?" To which she replied "Yeah, but you don't count." Seriously mom! Middle children struggle with forgotten birthdays, their parents forgetting them at school, missed games, and so forth. Is it too much to ask for a little attention, without having to go on the brink of psychosis to get it?
However, it is the middle child who is the glue of the family. The entire dynamic of a family of five is held together by that middle child. Yes, we may be the butt of the joke 95 percent of the time. True, parents may forget about us from time to time. Unfortunately, we do have to share all of our possessions. No, we will never be picked first for anything and yes, our seats are forever the chair pulled up to a booth set for four. Those are the cards we have been dealt. However, it is because of being the middle child we are awesome manipulators, strong negotiators, flexible, peacemakers and extremely generous. We wouldn't be half the person we are today if it was not for the harsh life of being a middle child.
