Middle child syndrome is a condition where middle children feel ignored or loved less than others, leading to low self-esteem and a lack of direction. It can be treated with a change in parental attitude and giving each child individual attention. Parents should make an effort to include all children in activities and give them equal attention.
They are two crucial and epochal moments in the life of any family: when the first child and the last child are born. Given the attention that goes to both of those children, those who fall in between may exhibit certain signs and behaviors that others do not. Birth order makes a difference, and those who are in between are at risk of developing a condition known as middle child syndrome. Middle children often feel ignored or loved less than others and develop low self-esteem.
This condition is often thought to develop in the child born between, but can sometimes be found in any child born between the oldest and youngest. As psychologists are becoming more and more aware of the problem, there are some commonalities that run among many who are affected. Understanding how family order can affect this condition provides some clues about how to treat it.
The effects of middle child syndrome are numerous. The child may feel as if she doesn’t belong to him, given all the attention given to older and younger children. The middle child may also feel less loved, have low self-esteem, and suffer from a lack of sense of direction. However, these symptoms are not just limited to childhood and can persist in a person throughout their entire adult life.
The good news is that the syndrome can be easily identified and is not physical in nature. It is very treatable, especially if noticed early. Even just a change in parental attitude can go a long way toward alleviating the situation. Parents should always be aware that the child born in between often gets the least amount of attention. This is not to say that parenting is bad, as it is a natural reaction and often happens unconsciously.
It is always up to the parents to make sure that every child feels loved and appreciated. This is especially true when trying to avoid the effects of middle child syndrome. Every child is unique and special. While it may be difficult, a concerted effort should be made to include all children in the activities, as well as giving each their own individual amount of attention.
When there are multiple siblings, parents should make time to give each one individual attention. This may include a special night once a month, where one parent takes a child out while the other parent stays home with the others. It can include a special time each day to talk about your child’s life and feelings. These simple little things can help all children feel equal and be a benefit to all children in the family.
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