The middle child gets the short end of the stick in most cases. Your parents don’t pay as much attention to you as the first born and the last born. That means you can get away with a few extra things. But, that lack of attention also comes with a sense of not belonging; your older sibling is praised while your younger sibling receives all of your parent's attention. That leaves you somewhere in-between.
It’s not as exciting when you learn how to ride a bike, your parents think its old news. Your high school graduation party isn’t anything to celebrate because your parents know they still have to deal with party planning and high school drama for your younger sibling. Yeah, it sucks, but the role of the middle child is pretty important.
Just like an Oreo, the middle is the best part and it wouldn’t be the same without it.
If you are the middle child, you have to deal with the bickering of your siblings all the time. You get both ends of the argument and it is your job to be the peacemaker. After the bickering ends you have to deal with the drama of one sibling talking smack about the other and vice-versa. All you can do is listen to their points of view and try to understand where they are coming from. You are used to disappearing in the shadow of your siblings but can’t help but complain about it sometimes.
You’re in a constant battle to comfort your older sibling and protect your younger one. In your eyes, the world doesn’t look black and white. The answers to your problems aren't always clear. You live in the grey spectrum. Certain circumstances and situations always make a solution a little bit more difficult. This usually stems from being the middle child. You see the beauty in imperfections when your older sibling sees it as failure and your younger sibling sees it as the social norm.
You and your older sibling get upset when the youngest gets his or her way or when your parents treat him or her as the innocent angel. But don’t be fooled, your younger sibling is a devil in disguise. They make a mess and expect others to pick it up. They don’t work for their possessions and don’t have gratitude for them. The youngest doesn’t understand why you roll your eyes when he or she gets a phone at 10 years old.
Although it is without a doubt exhausting, being a younger and older sibling at the same time is an absolute privilege. It may be hard to juggle all your worries and doubts but it is definitely worth it. Your older sibling is your role model and best friend. He or she is the one you go to for advice and entertainment. You secretly desire to be as successful and cool like they are.
Your younger sibling can get on your nerves sometimes. He or she is constantly getting into trouble or making a mess. You pick up the pieces and try to explain why they should appreciate all their possessions. You look out for them and want the absolute best for them even if it seems too easy. You understand where your little sibling is coming from because you too are a younger sibling. You are not as tough on them as your older sibling was to you. You guard and protect them as any good older sibling would do.
The middle child is the support system for not one sibling but two or more. They are usually close to their siblings and can see and understand their points of view. They have the best of both worlds even though it seems like a lot to handle. The middle child has a pretty sweet gig even though it can often go undetected.
