While growing up there were three children in our home. My sister, Kathy was the oldest. My brother Patrick was the middle boy and I was the “baby”. Our ordinal position has always made a difference to me. I’ve always felt my sister to be the older an wiser, and my brother to hold a special position not only for being the older brother but for being the only boy. I was the youngest and nurtured by all. Birth order matters. It matters in not only the personal sense but in how one is treated, perceived and on the expectations for behavior.
Those who deal with personality studies and behavioral attitudes indicate that birth order has a “lasting effect on psychological development”. Whether a person is a firstborn, last-born or even a middle child, social development plays out because of the ordinal position.
Not only do parents play a part in this lifestyle role but each sibling brings on attitudes, expectations and adaptations related to a child’s position in the family. From introversion, to extroversion, being conscientious to being neurotic, birth order plays a part in development.
While parents may treat a child the “same as everyone else in the family”, each child is different. Many parents try to be “fair” to children but fair is not always equal so parents should do the best for each child given his or her gifts, talents and needs. The oldest child may should be treated with respect, honor and often given responsibility. The middle child possibly should be given more responsibility than the younger simply because of the age advantage.
It is a parents duty to raise their children in a manner to let them go at a certain time and allow them to thrive given the spiritual gifts God has provided for them and the strengths learned in the home.
Everyone is the same except different so just do you!