We have always thought that birth order affects personality.
For example, we think that elder siblings are bossy and the youngest always will be the babies.
But, is this true?
The truth is that, although the birth order doesn’t affect child’s personality, it affects the role adopted in the family and the way children use to get parent’s attention.
And parents tend to reinforce these roles, whether we realize it or not.
If we don’t want our children to be affected by their position in family line, we can use little tricks to compensate it:
- Firstborn: Is better not reinforce her role as a “second mother”. She can help and get more responsibilities, and then get a reward, as going to bed a little later.
- Middle child: Give her an extra-time with Mom or Dad, as she has always to share parents time and attention.
- Youngest child: Be sure that you acknowledge her “firsts” as you have done with her siblings and give her some responsibilities at home.