Is there a true middle child syndrome?

Still tossing around the idea of a 3rd, which would make my son the middle child.

For those of you with 3 (or if you're the middle child) is there a true middle child syndrome?

Is it worse if they are a girl? boy?

Online it says things like they don't feel wanted & feel they don't belong. On the interesting side, it says they tend to be the most creative.

Thoughts? Comments?

Message edited 7/28/2010 9:00:14 AM.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I was a middle child, only girl between 2 boys. I am not sure what the middle child syndrome is so Im guessing it did not effect me lol
I loved being in the middle, always had an older one to blame things on and a younger one to boss around...until he got bigger than me. lol prob not what you want to hear, but the point is i really liked being in the middle!

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I'm a middle child and never had middle child syndrome.

I am the only girl though, so I think that makes it a little different because we each have our special "roles".

My older brother is the oldest, I'm the only girl and therefore the "princess" (except I'm not super girlie ) and then my younger brother is the baby.

If the middle is the same gender as one of the other two then they have to work a little harder to carve out their nitch in the family

My SIL is one of 3 girls. The oldest and the youngest have their roles and the middle girl kind of assumed the role of the family clown-possibly for attention, possibly just to be amusing. In that family the oldest and youngest daughters fight for the attention of the middle sister so it's kind of backwards compared to the usual "middle child syndrome" cliche.

I wouldn't let this sway you in your decision.

ETA: I never felt unwanted. In fact, I know I was the only planned child my parents had (older brother was a surprise, younger brother was an accident). I also know I only exist because my mother didn't want my older brother to be an only child-if anything that should effect me more, but it doesn't

Message edited 7/28/2010 8:55:28 AM.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I'm the oldest of 3. The middle child is my sister then my brother is the youngest. Her personality is def different from ours. She's the loudest, most outgoing. She used to act and sing. I'm not sure if its just coincidence that shes the middle, but from what I heard, the middle child tries to get the most attention from people. Nothing too terrible happened to her, except her attitude when she was a teenager! I'm still waiting for her to grow out of that one!

Message edited 7/28/2010 8:57:38 AM.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

We have 3 children now and everyone keeps on telling me that we will have the middle child syndrome. My SIL is the middle child and keeps on saying that she had it and that my Allie will have it. honestly, i think it is how the family dynamics are. In my DH's family both him and his two sisters are constantly competing for the attention and i imagine that it was worse when they were growing up since they are all in their 30's and it still goes on pretty bad. We get gifts from the two aunts with it written in the cards that whoever sent it hopes they are the favorite aunt.

So we are trying to raise our 3 to be equal and try to make sure there is time for everyone and that no one feels left out.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I have 2 younger brothers and the middle one def has the syndrome

I was the first girl and daddys girl

My youngest brother (the baby) was/is my moms fave

So my middle brother always/still feels hurt

I think about this when I think about having a 3rd

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

Crashing:

I am a middle child. I have an older brother & a younger sister. I like to complain to my parents about being the middle child but I think all the things that I complained about I really didn't mind too much.
I always had to share things with my sister, from my room to my toys; but that also ment that we had more things. Whatever I wanted to do, I had to do with my sister; which I think made us closer. We have some of the same friends; which is great because when we are invited someplace we get to go together.

My brother also has three children. An 8 yeard old son & his two girls are 6 & 3. The girls absolutley love each other, where the boy & older girl usually argue & disagree.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

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Message edited 7/28/2010 1:49:58 PM.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

My mom is a middle child a swears it is true. She has 2 older sisters and 2 younger brothers. She claims she was always left out. The the two older girls would get to do special things because they were older. The two boys got to do special things because they were the boys.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

Sure is. I totally have it

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I am a middle child and it most definately was the case in my family. They were reason around it, and we can discuss why. But now, I know that I am mom's favorite!!!

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

My brother has two older brothers and two younger sisters. He definitely did not have middle child syndrome. He was probably the most quiet out of all of us.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I don't think so as long as you treat them all the same. I was "the baby", yet I was the one either ignored or always in trouble

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

DH is the middle child in his family. He has an older brother and a younger sister. He is by far the most outgoing and the most well adjusted. Def no middle child syndrome there. He is also his mother's favorite though even though she doesn't like to admit it

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I am a middle child, and I don't feel like I ever had middle child syndrome. I think my parents made a point to treat us all equally, and make time for each of us.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

I am 1 of 3, the youngest. My middle brother has TRUE middle child syndrome. To the point that he truly remembers things about our childhood differently and the story is always skewed as if he was the "ugly duckling". When funny thing is my older brother and I always felt that he was my mom's favorite. He was sick as a child and my mom actually babied him because he almost died at a young age.

with that He wasnt always the "left out kid" but I did feel in my family there was always an odd man out. Sometimes it was me because I was the youngest and only girl. Sometimes my one of my brothers for various reasons. Even now as adults 2 of us are very close and the 3rd, not so much.

however on the flip side my DH is one of 3 and he didnt have the same experience. His middle brother does not have the MC syndrome, if anything he is the most boisterous of the group. And they are all close as adults.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

My sister is the middle child and as far as I can tell, there were not and are not, any of those middle child things with her. She never played second fiddle, never got my hand me downs (unless she wanted them). All in all, we were all treated and spoiled fairly equally.

In fact, she is the favorite (or so my brother and I say).

Message edited 7/28/2010 1:15:47 PM.

Re: Is there a true middle child syndrome?

My kids are still pretty little but DS2 is my middle and he seems totally fine. He is easier and better adjusted in a lot of ways than my oldest. Who knows what the future will bring.