Perhaps it’s Mama’s guilt kicking in or perhaps it’s the fact that we lost him for a whole FIVE MINUTES this past weekend but in the end…he’ll always be the middle child. Mama thought that being the only boy in the family would help the fact that he is the one in the middle. In fact there is a whole psychological theory based on being the middle child…it’s called: Middle Child Syndrome. Middle Child Syndrome is based on the fact that they are always the one left behind — too big to be the baby and too small to do the big kid things. They never get Mama and Daddy just to themselves — they are always sharing them…they are often depressed and not recognized for their talents and have an identity crisis when they get older. They are always jealous of what they don’t get. SAY WHAT?
How can Mama do this to Baby Boy? Mama doesn’t want him to have an identity crisis. He is smart. He is funny. He is handsome. Mama always lets him know it…or does Mama? He’s always the one left at home with the sitter…for many reasons…but one being that he is harder to handle in public and will often run away into the street dodging cars that get in his way. Two, he doesn’t like to sit still…EVER. Three, he’s much happier after a nap and would rather watch his cars then be toted from place to place while his sister does her activities. Plus…it helps Mama keep her sanity. Everyone is happier for it…or are they?
While now isn’t a great time to be doubting oneself about the birth order of your children (which you have no control over by the way), it is time to start thinking about how this can syndrome can be avoided. We don’t want the one in the “middle” to be forgotten. Just think of Jan Brady from The Brady Bunch and how insane she went every time Marsha got something…it was always “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!” We spread the love around for sure. Baby Boy gets his fair share of attention and STUFF…lots of STUFF for this kid. He’s currently obsessed with Cars and his Dad has no doubt fed that addiction. His favorite place is Target and he will do anything for a trip to Target because he thinks another toy is coming his way. However, to avoid the toy route we have switched to Cars Cheez-its, Cars Gummies and now are liking the Easter candy that is displayed every which way.
He’s actually the one we have to keep an eye on the most because he is a runner. He has a fearlessness that has yet to be recognized and his sense of danger is nonexistent. This past weekend was a testament to that when he ran while our backs were turned at the beach. He disappeared into thin air. At first you think, someone took him because with all the news reports of children being kidnapped, you can’t help but think that. Then you think he’s in the water…trying to swim the waves. You start panicking and screaming his name up and down the beach. The baby in your arms senses your panic and starts crying hysterically and all you can think about is, “WHERE IS MY LITTLE BOY?”
Luckily, we found him…up the hill by the playground taking a shower because he was “all sandy.” He scared us. The middle child…the one that has to fight for an identity and fight for attention. He was safe and Mama’s nerves still haven’t stopped shaking from those horrible five minutes. Did he do it for attention because he’s the middle child? That we’ll never know because at three…you’re too young to know better.
The one in the middle sure is special. They say the oldest child is the leader and the star of the family. The youngest child, the baby, is laidback and spoiled. The middle child…oh, the one in the middle. The hubs is the middle child and he turned out okay…we think…What if there is a whole slew of kids…like five, six or seven — do the ones in the middle ALL have the syndrome?!
Who are some famous middle children? John F. Kennedy Jr., Princess Diana, Richard M. Nixon, Martin Luther King, Jr., Barbara Walters, Jennifer Lopez, Bill Gates, Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Britney Spears, Donald Trump, Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jay Leno and Sarah Palin. Yikes…from the looks of this list…either Baby Boy is destined for a political career or be known for some wild and crazy antics that make him semi-famous.
There are always exceptions to the rule but Mama would love to know — are you a middle child? Are you in crisis?
My philosophy is simple: just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to forgo style or your life. You can do it all with a little help from Mama. Mama makes life easier by doing all the shopping, crafting and ranting for you because really...what Mama has the time for that?! Mama will not lie, I can bake but if you're looking for cooking tips you might be better off going someplace else!
