Birth Order Theory and How it Affects YOU

We don’t know about you but the birth order thing interests us. It’s funny to read what the experts have come up with regarding the birth order personality traits. Some of the characteristics seem spot on and others way off.

Here are some interesting facts about birth order:

• Can your birth order affect your job choice?

A first-born or only child may be more likely to become a doctor or lawyer. Younger siblings more often turn to the arts or the outdoors. In part, you can credit parenting.

Parents may over-protect the oldest or onlies. So they tend to follow more brain-based interests. When later children show up, parents can be more relaxed and hands-off.

• How much quality time do parents give firstborns compared with kids born later?

Even when parents try to be even-steven, it rarely works out that way. Kids born first get as much as 3,000 more hours of quality time with parents than younger siblings do at the same age.

• As moms get older, they feel closest to their ...

Older moms say they feel closest to their "babies" no matter what the family size or spacing between kids.

In the same study, mothers said firstborns were the ones they'd turn to when facing personal problems or a crisis.

• Who's more likely to put pressure on themselves?

Firstborns tend to try to be "perfect" more often than later-borns. But kids without siblings, who are often treated like little adults, seem to have even more of this trait.

• How many people have at least one brother or sister?

It's clear why birth order interests us so much. Most of us weren't born the only child in a family.

Kids who are spaced less than two years apart often have more conflict than those born more than two years apart, pediatricians say. 

• Parents call the doctor less often with later-born children.

Doctors often tell new parents there's no such thing as a dumb question. Parents climb a steep learning curve about how to take care of a child.

That's why studies show that they call the doctor more with a firstborn. But time builds confidence. Parents also figure out which problems a doctor can help with and which they can handle on their own.

Here are some traits that hit the nail on the head in our family:

• Oldest child - Cathy is the oldest girl in our family
  
  
  

If you're the firstborn child, you have your parents all to yourself for a period of time. Because it’s your parents’ first time being parents, they tend to dole out attention to you. They’re also extra careful when it comes to all aspects of child-rearing — from bumps and bruises to early education. Eldest children benefit from all this attention. 

Your parents might expect a lot from you if you're the oldest, especially as other children are born into your family. Your parents might seem stricter with you and often expect you to set an example for your younger siblings and show responsibility.

Studies show if you're the eldest child, you tend to demonstrate leadership skills. Maybe you're a leader in the workplace already, or rising to the top of your industry.‌

• Middle child - Rhonda is the middle child
  
  
  

It’s a stereotype that if you're a middle child you're a peacekeeper, but there seems to be a grain of truth behind the saying. Because you lack the title of being the oldest or the youngest, you seek to carve out a niche for yourself in the family dynamic. You tend to enjoy negotiation and compromise. You can often relate to people of different ages with ease.

You can be competitive with your older sibling — maybe by breaking their sports records, becoming more fluent in a language, or getting better grades. Or you might behave more rebelliously.

Check out our video on middle child syndrome...

• Youngest child - Kelly is the youngest girl
  
  
  

As the baby of the family, you tend to take one of two paths when developing your personality, according to Adler. The first path is a clear journey to success, where you try to excel in every way, often becoming the go-to person in the family. Youngest children can also become avoidant if they lack the confidence or drive to excel.

You might have freedoms your older siblings don't have. As your parents’ rules become more relaxed, your parents can be more hands-off with you. You're usually assured of your place in the family and can be very creative, rebellious, and outgoing.

• Only child
  
  
  

If you're an only child, you've been surrounded by adults since birth. That’s not to say you weren’t socialized with other children through kindergarten, the playground, or school. But during your time at home, you socialized with parents and other adults, mimicking their behaviors and becoming "small people".

Your parents might be overprotective of you, leading you to become dependent on your parents for support. You aren’t used to sharing clothes, space, or parental attention with siblings. This can make you intelligent and creative, but also stubborn and set in your ways.

Thanks to WebMd for this information.

Where are you positioned in the family? Do any of these traits fit you or your siblings? Please share your comments below. Can't wait to hear from you!

Keep it sassy,

Kelly

Sassy Silver Sisters

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