MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

Middle Child Syndrome – 5 Mistakes Made Parenting A Middle Child

  Worried about middle child syndrome? Here are the most 5 common mistakes made with parenting a middle child.

 

 

 

Let’s chat about middle child syndrome.

If you are looking for how to avoid the mistakes commonly made with parenting the middle child, then you have definitely come to the right place!

Being the middle child can be a great experience – having both older and younger siblings can have so many fantastic benefits.

However, there are plenty of issues for middle children, and sometimes we as parents seem to compound those issues by some of the mistakes we make. 

 

 

So what are some of the most common errors made with the middle children and how can we avoid them?

 

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

 

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

1 – Paying More Attention to the Oldest and Youngest

 

Our first-born child naturally gets our undivided attention for the first stage of their life, and gets used to being the center of all adult attention.

When the second child comes along, he or she begins as the baby and is able to bask in the attention that brings.

However, when a new little one arrives, the second child is then bumped into the middle position.

Unfortunately, we often offer middle children less attention than our others without realizing it.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 

Make a point of spreading your time and care among all your children, and you will avoid this unfortunate situation.

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

2 – Comparing Them to Their Older Sibling

 

You will do your middle child a massive disservice by continually comparing them to your first-born.

First-born children are natural leaders, and are often the type that work hard to get where they want in life.

Middle children are often more laid back, and this personality type is just as valuable and necessary in our society as any other type.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 

Be careful not to force your middle child to feel they need to take on the often over-achieving first-born child’s personality.

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

 

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

3 – Comparing Them to Their Younger Sibling

 

The baby of the family is often a fun-loving individual who is the life of the party.

Your middle child may feel like they have been bumped from their original position, and may take awhile to settle into their new role.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 

Be accepting of your middle child’s personality and don’t expect them to compete with their younger sibling, as they likely won’t be able to top the “cute factor” of the youngest.

And they shouldn’t feel as if they have to!

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

4 – Forgetting to Let Them Make Group Decisions

 

We often let children take turns making decisions when it comes to things such as what movies to watch and activities to do etc.

The first-born generally gets his (or her) chance by insisting persistently.

The youngest often does as well because they feel they have that right as the baby.

If your middle child doesn’t push for his voice to be heard, it’s up to you as the parent to make sure he is not overlooked.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 

Insist that your middle child gets his or her turn to make the same decisions too that are being made by everyone else.

 

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

 

 

 

MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME

5 – Blaming Them for Everything

 

Middle children sometimes hold the unfortunate position of one who is blamed.

The oldest is generally more knowledgeable about how to steer the blame away from oneself, and the youngest is let off the hook simply by virtue of their age and charm.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 

Be fair and don’t automatically point fingers at your middle child just because they have not learned a way to get out of sticky situations with the same wit and charm as your other children.

It simply isn’t fair to them.

 

All in all, being the middle child can be a difficult place in a family.

 

You as a parent can definitely do many things to make it as pleasurable an experience as possible for your middle child.

Take steps to avoid these common parenting mistakes and your middle child will be most grateful I’m sure!

 

 

RELATED POSTS:

>> 6 MISTAKES COMMONLY MADE WITH PARENTING A FIRST BORN CHILD

>> YOUNGEST CHILD SYNDROME – MISTAKES MADE PARENTING THE BABY OF THE FAMILY

 

 

 

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