Birth Order?

[MOB Karen]

What Does Your Birth Order Mean?

First Born
First-born children are goal setters, perfectionists and sometimes worriers. They are responsible, detail-oriented, and they follow the rules while trying to please everyone they can.
"These are the highest achievers," says psychologist Daniel Eckstein, PhD, from Ottawa University in Phoenix, Arizona.
Famous First-Borns: Presidents Truman, Johnson, Carter, and George W. Bush, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Geraldo Rivera, Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, Ted Koppel and Jackie Onassis.

Only Child
Only children are like first-borns, but exaggerated. They're extremely responsible, like to do everything perfectly and often get along with people older than themselves.
Famous Only Children: Frank Sinatra, Robert De Niro, Elton John, Lauren Bacall and Robin Williams.

Middle Child
Personality aside, most experts agree that the middle child has it the toughest. They're constantly trying to outdo their other siblings, who have gained special status as first-born or the baby, and according to Conley, are "25 percent less likely to be sent to a private school than they were before, and they're five times more likely to be held back a grade."
Middle children tend to rebel, be competitive and may feel that they don't entirely belong. They're also flexible, diplomatic peacemakers who are generous, outgoing and social.
Famous Middle Children: David Letterman and Donald Trump.

Last Born (Youngest Child)

There are exceptions to the birth order rules: large age differences between siblings, blended families and multiple births can all skew the results.
Because the youngest child is usually spoiled, protected and at least somewhat babied by the family, they grow up with the feeling that they can do no wrong. Youngest children are risk takers who love attention, creative "idea" people, and have a good sense of humor.
They can also be manipulative, persuasive and persistent, and may wish they could stay the youngest child forever. Because of this, last-borns may have a greater risk of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse problems, according to Eckstein.
Famous Last-Borns: Katie Couric, Ross Perot, Goldie Hawn, Jim Carrey, Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Drew Carey and Steve Martin.
http://www.sixwise.com/images/articles/2006/07/05/30344114[1]BIRTHORDER.thb.jpg

Exceptions to the Rule
Does your personality not come close to the descriptions for your birth order? It's worth noting that there are several caveats that can seriously skew these birth order "rules."

If there are a number of years between siblings, the birth order chain will start over. For example, if six years go by between the first and second child, the second child may take on personality traits of a first-born.
The birth order within genders can also start the chain over. For instance, if the first child is a girl and the second a boy, the boy may take on some first-born traits since he is the first-born male.
Deaths of siblings, adoptions, step-siblings, multiple births and divorce, in which siblings live separately, can also influence birth order traits.

[MOB Karen]

I'm a middle child because I was third in a family of four children. But I was also a youngest child too in a way. My family had three girls before we had my baby brother. So I was always the baby girl in the family. So I had some of the advantages of being the baby, such as my mother would protect me from my two older sisters who used to pick on me for being the baby. But once my brother came, that was all over and my brother got all the attention and protection. So I can say for the first four years of my life, I was spoiled and protected until my brother came along, and then I was on my own. lol So I think my personality fits more into the middle child slot, because I have always been very competitive. And I think that's because we were always fighting for our parent's attention. lol

[KristyGirl]

I'm the oldest of 2. And I definitely take on all the traits of a first born.

[Kacie_bride]

I am a first born. I think that fits my personality somewhat.

[LaceyinPgh]

I'm an only child.

[brewsells]

I am the first born, but my sister didn't live with us full time (only visited in the summer) so i am between the first born and only child.

[AngelinLove]

I have an older half brother, but he didn't really live with us...adn then my mom and dad had three and I was the oldest. I definitely fit the first born description way more than the middle child one!!!

[CindySue]

I am the first born from my mom and dad, but my dad had 3 kids before he married my mom, so Im a middle child too. We didnt see them a whole lot, so I spent more time as "the oldest".

[JennF]

I'm an eldest child and pretty much fit the mold. That bit about "sometimes worriers" that's me.

Jonathan is technically the baby in his family, but there's an 8 year gap between himself and the next oldest brother...plus his two older brothers went away for school so Jonathan was pretty much raised as an only child.

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

I was the first born in my family on both sides. People say I was too spoiled for the 3 years before my sister was born, but I think they're wrong ;)

I have 1 sister and I had all girl blood-related cousins (I have a male step-cousin who is the same age as me), but my aunt just had a baby boy in february so our family officially has a baby boy!! :bbmrgreen:

[mariaandmanish]

I'm the middle child, 2nd born of 3 girls. I have a lot of the middle child traits, but some youngest child too, because i'm my father's youngest child. Definitely I am definitely competitive. Mostly, though, I'm diplomatic. It drives me nuts, but even when I am furious with someone, I use such diplomatic words that I want to kcik my own a*&!!! lol

[countrygirl]

I am the middle, and I was the peacemaker of the fam. I wasn't rebel but I was the one who moved far from home first.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I was the youngest. When I was a child I was manipulative, I knew how to get my brother into trouble. But when I grew into a teenager, I was the hated child. I could do no right and that has carried into my adult life. My parents have always favored my older brother (3 1/2 yrs between us) and they still do to this day!! I sometimes think my mom resents me for some reason but I am unsure what the reason was.

I find it funny that it says that the youngest child will usually be the substance abuser...we won't go there!! But I've had my share of addicitons!

I would love to be the middle child, I feel like I am really left out a lot of times. My parents seem to visit my brother and his fam all the time, and they visit me once a year! I'm upset with my family and I'm sick of them too! But that's a whole different story rght now.

[ladymelissa]

DH and I are both first borns. I think the description is pretty accurate.

[I'm That Girl]

I am the youngest of 4.

Last Born (Youngest Child)

There are exceptions to the birth order rules: large age differences between siblings, blended families and multiple births can all skew the results.
Because the youngest child is usually spoiled, protected and at least somewhat babied by the family, they grow up with the feeling that they can do no wrong. Youngest children are risk takers who love attention, creative "idea" people, and have a good sense of humor.
They can also be manipulative, persuasive and persistent, and may wish they could stay the youngest child forever. Because of this, last-borns may have a greater risk of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse problems, according to Eckstein.

:bblol: I definitely was NOT spoiled or babied! I had a rough childhood. :bbconfused: I am, however, creative and have a good sense of humor. So it's a little bit correct. And I've never had any psychiatric disorders or substance abuse problems.

[auchlisa]

I am the baby of the family but i was the one who took care of my older brother and he was always the one to get me in trouble. I wasnt ever babied but i also didnt get to do as much as my brother because he was the boy and girls dont go hunting and fishing. I both hunt and fish to this day and my dad hates it. lol

[darkangel090260]

i am the youngest out for 8 i have 7 older brother and I am the baby of all the grandchildren. So neadless to say i am spolit Rotten most of the time

[Jenn060306]

Ok... I kinda fall into 2 catagories here.
I am the first born. But i am technically an only child. I had a younger brother who passed away when he was two. I kinda fit into both catagories. I am an obsessive worrier and a complete perfectionist.

Mark is a middle child. He's fortunet that he was the only boy so that gave him somthing special. But he is very much a middle child "Middle children tend to rebel, be competitive and may feel that they don't entirely belong. " He was an absolute rebel in h/s and he always seemed to be an outcast. All his friends where in a way different.

[AllyM1]

I am a middle child but I kind of fall in to the "exception" catagory. My older brother is 10 years older than me. I have some characteristics of the first born and the middle child. The last born DEFINITELY describes my lil sis... She is a very manipulative person.

I always hated being a middle child because I wasn't the oldest and I wasn't the youngest. My brother made it bad for me because he was bad and because of that my parents were pretty strict when I was younger. My sister was born with hydrocephalus and she's had a few surgeries so because of that my parents feel bad and they pretty much let her do whatever she wants.

I had an uncle who gave me the "middle kids are the best" speech... Like what's the best part of an oreo? The middle! What's the best part of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? The Middle! DIDNT WORK!

[LizabethDavis]

I think I may be one of those exceptions. I voted for youngest, because when my mom and dad were married, I was the youngest child in the house, but I was the ONLY child that was actually a result of my mom AND dad....my brother and I share the same mother, but different father.

[WebLady]

I am the first of 4 kids in my family ...

First Born
First-born children are goal setters, perfectionists and sometimes worriers. They are responsible, detail-oriented, and they follow the rules while trying to please everyone they can.
"These are the highest achievers," says psychologist Daniel Eckstein, PhD, from Ottawa University in Phoenix, Arizona.

I suppose I am alot like this ;)

Exceptions to the Rule
Does your personality not come close to the descriptions for your birth order? It's worth noting that there are several caveats that can seriously skew these birth order "rules."

* If there are a number of years between siblings, the birth order chain will start over. For example, if six years go by between the first and second child, the second child may take on personality traits of a first-born.
* The birth order within genders can also start the chain over. For instance, if the first child is a girl and the second a boy, the boy may take on some first-born traits since he is the first-born male.
* Deaths of siblings, adoptions, step-siblings, multiple births and divorce, in which siblings live separately, can also influence birth order traits.

My sister was the second child, we are 3 yrs appart. Then we have two brothers that are quite a bit appart from us. (the older one is 12 younger than me and then younger one is 10 yrs younger) So if the 'order chain' started over, well my oldest brother is nothing like the first born traits mentioned above.

[katieandalex]

Ok, let me analyze this a little bit.

My brother, the first born.
Barely ever responsible, definitely not detail oriented (only with like 2 things in his entire life) but definitely a worrier to some extent.

My sister, the middle child.
Never had to try to out do us....she was just that good. She was the only one that went to a private 4-yr college while my brother and I only had the ambition to go to a 2-year school...plus she went back for a 2nd degree at another 4-year private college. She was not held back any grades. She is definitely not a rebel....but this whole statement fits her to a T:
"They're also flexible, diplomatic peacemakers who are generous, outgoing and social."

Me, the baby (though there is 9 & 10 years between my siblings....the first child one definitely doesn't fit me).
I was definitely spoiled and definitely have a good sense of humor. This fits me exactly "manipulative, persuasive and persistent" but the rest of it....no where near me.

Alex, the only child.
Fits him to a T....maybe that is why he is the youngest manager in his division....

[Jacklynn]

first born :)

I have one younger sister who is about 2 1/2 years younger than I am

[SerendipityCrafts]

First-born children are goal setters, perfectionists and sometimes worriers. They are responsible, detail-oriented, and they follow the rules while trying to please everyone they can.
Youngest children are risk takers who love attention, creative "idea" people, and have a good sense of humor.

Baby here! .... I am also the only girl w/ 4 older brothers and my youngest brother is 5 years older than I am. I figure I am a mix between the first born and the youngest.

[nikkiana]

I'm a combination of a last born and a first born... I'm the youngest child of my father's.... Younger by 18 and 15 years... and I'm my mother's only child... I'd say that I have traits from both descriptions.

[mlm063007]

I am a first born, however, My mom married my step-dad when I was in 3rd grade and I gained 2 older sisters. I guess they were far enough ahead of me to not make a difference b/c I definatley have the traits of the first born.

[Trin]

Im a middle child, I have one older sister and 2 younger sisters.

[FutureBride]

Whoa,theres not many "Only's" here.

[BriansBride07]

Neat i am the first born and that pretty much sums up my personality and everything. Also found that it pretty much summed up my kids too. LOL to cute

[lize566]

I am the oldest of three. This is pretty true. I am a perfectionist, responible, detail-oriented, and try to follow the rules and please everyone. I am not a worrier though, at all! I am not sure if I am the highest acheiver. As of right now it doens't look like I will be, but oh well

My brother is the middle child, but being the first boy he doesn't really fit the profile of the middle child. He is competitive in general, but so am I. He definitely does not try to outdo my sister and I because he is the boy and he is recently getting over cancer so he already gets special treatment.

The only part of the profile my sister, the youngest, fits is the part about being babied, but I think that is natural with the youngest. She isn't spoiled because of it though.

Stephen, FH, is the youngest of 2. He doesn't really fit any of the profiles. He is babied a little bit, and he is def. a mammas boy because his parents divorved when he was really young and he doesn't have much of a relationship with his father.

[rainbowtreat]

I am th eonldest of the one I grew up with. My mom has 3 so I have a sister hwo is 3 1/2 yr younger then me and my brother who is about 15 yrs younger then me. I have the traits of the first born.

My dad also has 3 kids. And out of those 3 I am the middle child. But I didnt ever live with that brother and sister. So there is realy nothing to go by there.

[SaralovesMike]

First born for me. Personality sounds about right too!

Mike is youngest but there is a 11 year difference between him and his oldest brother.

[Orgirl1969]

First born, all the way. I don't know about the "highest achiever" part, I only have an associates degree and my little sister has a bachelor's, but I have more of a "career" and she has more of a "job," so I guess that balances out. And, she's almost 9 years younger than me and even though I have more first born traits and she has more youngest born traits, we both behave a little more like only children.

Bill is in the same boat except he is the youngest (his only sibling, a brother, is 10 years older). He has a lot of only child characteristics.