Being the middle child of the family creates distinct emotional experiences, which sets these children apart from other family members. Middle children usually experience a unique situation, because they neither receive the initial attention given to firstborns, nor the special treatment reserved for babies. The typical experiences of middle children align with some feelings which you probably understand either personally, or through your knowledge of middle children. Here are 5 emotions middle children go through… (pic courtesy: Freepik)
Feeling a bit invisible
Middle children can experience feelings of being ignored by others in their family environment. The firstborn receives recognition as the trailblazer who demonstrates leadership patterns, yet the youngest receives baby status which requires special treatment. Middle children usually experience reduced attention from their family members, when compared to their siblings. Not only that, middle children experience being overlooked, when their parents manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. They might develop different coping mechanisms such as becoming quiet, independent and indulging in secretive behaviors to achieve individual recognition, though this is not always the case.
Becoming the peacemaker
All siblings, and families fight! Middle children, within their families, naturally develop into family mediators who maintain peace. They learn quick conflict resolution skills from their position of being placed between their older and younger siblings. Many middle children develop excellent abilities to maintain equilibrium, because they learn to find common ground in all situations.Middle children develop their capacity for empathy, because they understand both sides of any situation to promote peaceful resolutions. Through this ability, they develop skills which enable them to build strong relationships, both in school and work environments.
Developing a strong sense of independence
Numerous middle children develop robust independence in their personality traits. Because middle children experience decreased home attention, they develop their independence at a faster pace than their siblings. They learn to solve problems by themselves, since they develop strong self-motivation and resourcefulness.Middle children develop independence which becomes their core strength, because it enables them to solve problems creatively and adapt to various situations. They pursue their personal interests and develop unique aspects outside of their family responsibilities.
Feeling caught
Middle children experience a continuous struggle, because they need to handle both the duties of being older, and the preferences of being younger. Whe the oldest takes on responsibilities such as babysitting or sets examples, the youngest receives exceptions from work duties, and gets special treatment.
Being placed in between these two positions might create frustration, but leads middle children to develop the innate ability to see multiple viewpoints. Middle children learn to combine maturity with fun, as they balance responsibility with freedom.
Creating close friendships outside the family
Middle children who lack home attention, develop intense friendships that exist beyond their family environment. Friends become the middle child’s support network, through which they experience value and understanding.Middle children form lasting friendships, because they place great importance on connections and loyalty in their relationships. Their natural ability to maintain peace in the household, leads them to become exceptional friends, who listen attentively and offer wise counsel.
Why being the middle child is special
Being the middle child in a family creates special abilities, even though it sometimes results in feeling invisible. The natural development of independence, empathy and social skills takes place commonly in middle children. Middle children develop essential life skills through their learning experiences, which include adaptation along with creative thinking and effective understanding of others.Middle children benefit when their parents, together with their siblings, actively recognise their unique value within the family. When middle children receive recognition for their abilities, it makes a substantial impact on family dynamics.Remember, each child (and family) is different, so not all middle children will go through these emotions, so take them with a pinch of salt!
