I originally wrote this series of blog posts on birth order in 2007 on my other Mum’s Word blog, but have reposted on this blog.
Birth Order: First Born
Birth Order: Second/Middle Born
Birth Order: Third/Last Born
Birth Order: Only Child
I did write a summary post Birth Order: What Does It All Mean? and I’d just like to take the opportunity to add to that post here.
At the time of writing that series I had three children (1 girl, 2 boys). I have since gone onto have another child, a boy who is 4 years younger than my 3rd child.
So by Michael Grose’ rationale my youngest will also have some first born traits because of the four year age gap between my 3rd and 4th children. And sibling rivalry should be at a minimum.
An Early Childhood Nurse had mentioned the same thing to me after I had my second child, two years after I had my first child. She commented that most sibling rivalry occurs when the age gap is closer than three-and-a-half years. But these days with financial pressures and the age of mothers; more children are being born closer together than ever before. I don’t know whether she had any evidence of that or it is just anecdotal evidence through her line of work. Either way, it was an interesting hypothesis that Michael Grose concurs with in his books.
As for my little family of four children, to date, my youngest does seem feisty and my 3rd still acts like the baby of the family. The two eldest haven’t changed much at all with the addition of the 4th child.
If you are interesting in reading the comments from the original Mum’s Word blog please click on these links.
Birth Order: First Born
Birth Order: Second/Middle Born
Birth Order: Third/Last Born
Birth Order: Only Child
Birth Order: What Does It All Mean?
Oh dear, my boys are 2 mins apart so sibling rivalry will be at its best then 🙂
I’m 7 years younger than my middle brother and 10 from the eldest. I definitely have first born traits (ie bossy, feisty, headstrong, stubborn:))
I wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂
Hi Grace,
I’m 12 years younger than my brother and 9 years younger than my sister. So like you, I have first born traits too.
Having said all that, I still get treated like a baby too sometimes…but that’s another post to be uploaded. 😉
Thanks for the visit.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
I am fascinated by birth order. I loved reading each of your posts in the series. I am one of 5 children, and our family reads like a book. It is really quite remarkable.
I loved reading your comments about sibling rivalry being lessened with a 31/2 + year gap. My husband and I are having difficulty growing our family and it looks like there will be at least three years between our children (if we are successful). I’ve been worried of late but reading your words has certainly helped.
Look forward to reading some of your other posts.
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
1 of 5? I would love to hear how you and your siblings interact.
Good luck with growing your family. I too was worried about having a 4 year gap between my 3rd and 4th but have since realised that there are pros and cons with any age gap. It’s how we handle it that makes the difference.
Thank you so much for the visit.
Love & stuff
Mrs M