☀🌞🌤 National Middle Child Day - Aug. 12th ☀🌞🌤

 

NATIONAL MIDDLE CHILD DAY

Each year on August 12th, National Middle Child Day is observed across the United States. This day gives special recognition to the middle child or children in the family.

It is believed by many that birth order plays a pivotal role in the personalities of children.  The “Middle Child Syndrome” states that the first-born is often the leader and the role-player while the youngest one is always considered the baby of the family, therefore, leaving the middle child without a special “role”.

Birth order is known to contribute to the Big Five personality traits: extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience.

One personality study claims that middle children tend to be artistic and creative.

HISTORY

National Middle Children’s Day was created by Elizabeth Walker in the 1980s.  It was originally intended to be observed on the second Saturday in August, however, along the way it has become generally accepted to celebrate it on August 12.  In a newspaper article submitted by her grandson, Litton Walker, III, Walker stated that she wanted to create a National day to honor those children “born in the middle of families” who she felt were “left out.”  The name was later changed to National Middle Child Day.

 

Happy National Middle Child Day! 9 reasons it's actually the best

Being the middle child comes with some stigma — you're not the oldest and wisest, and you're not the "baby" of the family, either. Plus, thanks to the dreaded "middle child syndrome," people assume you're more likely to feel left out or neglected.

Just look at quintessential middle child Jan Brady from "The Brady Bunch": She had to create an imaginary boyfriend (George Glass) to garner attention from her big family. Stephanie Tanner, the middle child from "Full House," may not have had many story lines devoted to her, but at least she got her own tag line ("How RUDE!").

Though pop culture loves to poke fun at middle children — being one is actually pretty great.

1. Your parents were probably more laid back with you.

We all know how it goes, parents are super strict with their first child. As a baby, they wouldn't let justanyone hold their precious first born. Then you came along... and it all changed. That means you maybe had it a little easier than your big bro or sis. A fact they probably never let you forget.

2. You actually have a secret power.

At least according to Catherine Salmon and Katrin Schumann, authors of "The Secret Power of Middle Children." According to their research, middle children are more open to experience and more willing to develop different abilities while searching for their own niche in the family.

Further, they found that middle borns are agents of change in business, politics and science. They're team players who know how to deal with everyone.

3. You can keep a secret.

So, yeah, maybe you don't get as much attention as your baby bro, but according to birth order experts, that means you're able to keep things to yourself.

4. You know how to go with the flow.

After your parents had their third child, you had to find your own way. Today, you're way better at compromising and negotiating than your older and younger siblings, who typically got their way.

5. You have stronger bonds with friends.

Your parents had a looser leash on you, which means you were able to form stronger friendships at younger ages.

 

6. You're probably not your parents' favorite — and that's OK!

You are probably the favorite of your grandfather, aunt or uncle, and they had no problem letting you know that.

7. You're JUST as smart as your siblings.

A 2015 study debunked the popular myth that firstborns are the most intellectual of the family. Though they do have higher IQs, the margin is extremely slight.

8. You're more independent.

Like we said before, your parents were a little more lax with you, which means you were able to do more things on your own. You're not afraid to try a new sport, activity or career — you're used to tackling things solo!

9. You might live longer than your younger sibling.

A 2015 study found that mortality risk in adulthood increases with later birth order. So while you might not live as long as your older sibling, you could outlive your younger brother or sister.

Today, celebrate your uniqueness as the middle child — and hey, maybe the "middle child syndrome," isn't such a bad thing after all.

 

SO HAPPY NATIONAL MIDDLE CHILD'S DAY FROM ALL OF US @ ETA SIGMA DELTA SL SORORITY..... ENJOY YOUR DAY....

~~~ Over and Out ~~~ Egypt A. Assanti -  { ESD Baroness }