35 Funny Posts Drawing Attention To The Often Forgotten Middle Children

Middle childrenoften get to be the butt of the joke. Overlooked, underappreciated, and forgotten. But did you know that more than half ofU.S. presidentswere middle children? Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy were all middleborns. Got to get that attention somehow…Wondering what it’s like being a middle child? We’ve got just the compilation for you! Here’s a list of the funniest posts and tweets about the fate of themiddle child. As a middle child myself, I can say that I relate to most of them. And I agree that Kevin fromHome Aloneshould’ve been a middlechild. No one has ever forgotten the youngest one in my family; that honor was always bestowed upon me!To know whether ‘middle child syndrome’ is true,Bored Pandareached out to Pediatric NeuropsychologistDr. Rita Eichenstein. She’s the author ofNot What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children,and she kindly agreed to talk to us about the life of middle children. Read her expert insights below!This post may includeaffiliate links.

Wondering what it’s like being a middle child? We’ve got just the compilation for you! Here’s a list of the funniest posts and tweets about the fate of themiddle child. As a middle child myself, I can say that I relate to most of them. And I agree that Kevin fromHome Aloneshould’ve been a middlechild. No one has ever forgotten the youngest one in my family; that honor was always bestowed upon me!

To know whether ‘middle child syndrome’ is true,Bored Pandareached out to Pediatric NeuropsychologistDr. Rita Eichenstein. She’s the author ofNot What I Expected: Help and Hope for Parents of Atypical Children,and she kindly agreed to talk to us about the life of middle children. Read her expert insights below!

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Dr. Rita Eichenstein tells Bored Panda that there’s not much actual research to back up ‘middle child syndrome.’ “While ‘Middle Child Syndrome’ suggests that middle children may feel overlooked or develop unique traits like diplomacy or independence, research is inconclusive, and the impact of birth order varies widely across families,” she explains.

“Each family structure is different, and it depends on the temperament, learning style, and resilience of the child.” However, she also points out that middle children tend to have some common traits. “Middle children might differ from their siblings in behavior and relationships, but these differences aren’t universal. It’s important for parents to acknowledge each child’s individuality, provide equal attention, and avoid comparisons.”

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Interestingly, Dr. Eichenstein says that during her years as a pediatric neuropsychologist, she’s seen more cases of the ‘younger sibling syndrome.’ “Generalizations about middle children are less prominent than the ‘younger sibling’ syndrome, where the second sibling often feels inferior due to comparisons with the older sibling’s competence.““Middle children can sometimes feel lost between the eldest’s dominant leadership and the youngest’s knack for getting attention. It’s crucial to ensure middle children feel noticed and valued,” Dr. Eichenstein emphasizes. “Some middle children may prefer staying ‘under the radar’ and develop independence and self-reliance.”

“Middle children can sometimes feel lost between the eldest’s dominant leadership and the youngest’s knack for getting attention. It’s crucial to ensure middle children feel noticed and valued,” Dr. Eichenstein emphasizes. “Some middle children may prefer staying ‘under the radar’ and develop independence and self-reliance.”

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Experts say thatbirth orderdoes play a part in the forming of our personalities. Kevin Leman, Ph.D., a distinguished psychologist who has studied birth order since 1967 and wroteThe Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are,saysthat parents treat children differently based on their birth order.And then there are also sibling relationships. They also form our personalities, depending on whether we’re the oldest, the middle, or the youngest child. And let’s not forget those who areonly children; they have their unique characteristics as well. Experts say they’re mature for their age, diligent, perfectionist leaders. But that’s in broad strokes, of course.

And then there are also sibling relationships. They also form our personalities, depending on whether we’re the oldest, the middle, or the youngest child. And let’s not forget those who areonly children; they have their unique characteristics as well. Experts say they’re mature for their age, diligent, perfectionist leaders. But that’s in broad strokes, of course.

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Middle-child syndrome isn’t actually recognized as an official condition. So far, it’s only a theory psychologists like Leman and Alfred Adler did research on. What’s more, researchers have trouble applying the same common characteristics to all middle children. They claim there are many more factors that influence an individual’s personality.

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Still, there are some characteristics theyclaimmany middle children might have. For example, middle children tend to be more independent from their families. “They’re usually the first of their siblings to take a trip with another family or to want to sleep at a friend’s house,” Linda Dunlap, Ph.D.,explains. When they’re adults, they also might be the first of all the siblings to move out, and, possibly, the farthest away.

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Middle children also thrive onfriendships. They might have a wider social circle than their siblings. They rely on their parents, brothers, and sisters less because they believe their family members don’t value them as much. However, for them, the quality of their friendships trumps quantity. Parenting author Monica Swansonwrites: “Middle children are said to be careful who they open up to, often keeping their feelings to themselves.”

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

The good news is that psychologists say middle children are good negotiators. They’re often the peacekeepers in the family because they have to learn to “fit in” once the younger sibling(s) arrive. The other side of the coin is that they might be people-pleasers. Since they don’t get the attention they want at home, they seek approval from other people,becomingdiplomatic and adaptable.

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

However, middle children also have a rebellious streak. At least, that’s the case if the oldest sibling is structured and responsible. If the eldest is a rebel, the middle child might be the responsible one. Kevin Leman, Ph.D.,explainsthat middle children are hard to pin down because they often play off the eldest sibling. So, in a sense, middle children might try to be as different from the eldest as possible.

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

There’s one more interesting trait that many middle children share: being most likely to remain faithful in marriage. Dr. LemantoldBusiness Insider that since middle kids are so good at compromising and negotiating, they make their marriages work. Middle children also tend to be satisfied with marriage in general.

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Actual research on the topic of birth order and common personality traits is contradicting. There arestudiesthat show middle children are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. On the other hand, other researchersfoundthat middle children can be prone to maladaptive perfectionism. And a 2015 studyconcludedthat there is no “lasting effect” of birth order on “broad personality traits.”

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets

Ultimately, birth order doesn’t dictate every facet of your personality. I, too, would love to believe that all my bad habits and traits are a result of my parents deciding to conceive me second. However, there are many more factors at play: financial, social, even geographical. Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., andBill Gateswere also middle children. And if the middle child syndrome is real, I feel like I’m in good company!

Middle-Child-Funny-Tweets