Here We Go Again… Again!

          Honestly, I really don’t know how much more of this I can take... 

          It was almost two years ago when “Eldest Daughter Syndrome” (EDS) entered the birth order syndrome business. 

 

 

          At the time, I wrote/bemoaned about how this would likely steal away what little attention was given to our namesake syndrome. I also predicted this would open the floodgates for others to claim their own birth order syndrome. Then sure enough, in the blink of an eye, “Youngest Child Syndrome” (YCS) reared it’s I'm so precious little head. 

 

 

          And now, in typical Big Brother fashion, “Eldest Son Syndrome” (ESS) shows up late to the party and still expects everyone to make a big fuss because he finally arrived.

 

 

          So once again, we Middle Children find ourselves in an untenable position, trying to make our syndrome stand out from all the rest – a monumental task given our whole syndrome is based on not getting enough attention in the first place. The irony of this situation is absolutely maddening.

          Well, I have a message for all these syndrome seeking siblings: Back off! All your newfound syndromes are making it even harder for us to handle ours – the original birth order syndrome, mind you!!

          I hope they realize what they’ve done. They’ve actually now created a whole new syndrome for Middle Children to have – Middle Child Syndrome Syndrome. Ha, take that! We’ll see your syndrome and raise you one!

          EDS, YCS, ESS – I say it’s all BS! But not MCS. 

          That shit is real.

 

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I.M.C.U. Calls B.S. on the B.B.C.

          People are always sending me links to posts they find relating to birth order, as usually these posts contain some interesting insights regarding Middle Children. Sometimes it’s the entire focus of the post, like when researchers prematurely reported the demise of the Middle Child. Or maybe it’s a link to a report on the findings of a birth order study in which Middle Children are part of the discussion. Because you can’t really have a discussion about birth order without including all the possible orders of birth, right? I mean, there aren’t even that many. You’re either born first (or only), last, or somewhere in the middle. So the Middle Child would have to be part of the discussion, right?          

          Well, maybe not.

          In a recent post on the BBC website (“Eldest Daughter Syndrome” to the Rebellious Youngest Sibling: Does Your Birth Order Shape Your Personality?), Editorial Producer Molly Gorman attempts to “find answers to the question of whether our birth order amongst siblings shapes our personalities.” (SPOILER ALERT: it’s still up for debate.) 

          As the founder of the International Middle Child Union, I read this post with great interest and anticipation, eagerly awaiting some new insights regarding the impact of birth order on the Middle Child. I waited...

          ...and waited.

          I read about eldest daughters. Eldest sons. Youngest children. Even only children. And then I began to wonder, “Are we actually being left out of a discussion about birth order?” What could be more Middle Child than that!?! And then, finally, there it was. Buried in about the 24th out of 28

paragraphs - more than 1600 words into an approximately 1800 word post - a single mention of the “Middle-born.” And, if you ask me, it was a cursory mention at best. Not even prefaced with a “last but not least” or anything that might take the sting out of being treated like a birth order afterthought.

          I have to admit, I didn’t see this one coming. Eldest to youngest, the title read. I fully expected we'd get our fair share. What a silly thing for a Middle Child to think. Shame on me!

          I hate to say it, because it's just what “they” would expect, but, no fair! On behalf of Middle Children everywhere, I demand equal time! Like that’s ever going to happen.

          Gorman concludes that “… we may, one day, have a clearer answer as to what it means to be an eldest daughter.” But it’s pretty clear we don’t have to wait to find out what it means to be a Middle Child. 

 

CLICK HERE to find out my take on the so-called “Eldest Daughter Syndrome."

 

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Is Middle Child Syndrome About to Get Even LESS Attention?

Can't a Middle Child Get a Break?:
a Break?: Now they're stealing the 
spotlight from our namesake syndrome!?

          Well, it appears the impossible has happened: our lowly status in the birth order pecking order has reached a new low. “Eldest Daughter Syndrome” is the new syndrome on the block, stealing away what little attention was given to our namesake syndrome. In case you haven’t read about it in the New York Times or heard about it on the Today Show, Eldest Daughter Syndrome is a term used to describe “the unique pressures and responsibilities placed upon the oldest daughter in the family,” according to Kati Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Her TikTok video titled “8 Signs of Eldest Daughter Syndrome” has been viewed more than 6 million times. Yes, Middle Children, EDS is all the rage. It’s even got it’s own acronym, so you know this is a serious threat!

          I know that in the past I have bemoaned being burdened with our very own syndrome. “Why us,” I’ve asked. Oldest and youngest siblings have their own set of common characteristics, I've argued. How come their birth order traits didn’t get a syndrome? Look, while nobody wants to have their very own syndrome, when you’re a Middle Child you take what you can get. The truth is, over the years I’ve developed a special relationship with our syndrome. OUR syndrome. So yes, as much as it may suck, now that another birth order group is actually claiming one for themselves, I am fully exercising my Middle Child contrarian rights to cry “non aequum.” No fair!!

Pity the Poor Eldest Daughter: all that attention
and adoration! Let me get my violin out!!

          Playing the Middle Child Syndrome card was always our ace up the sleeve. Our siblings got all the attention and love, but we got our own syndrome. Sure, it was a booby prize, but it was something they didn’t have. Or want. Can’t we even have that to ourselves anymore? They need one, too?? Seems pretty greedy, if you ask me. Besides, for years our siblings have been discrediting Middle Child Syndrome by minimizing the toll it has taken on us. “It’s all in our heads,” they’ve told us. But now that one of them has some issues, suddenly birth order syndromes are a legitimate thing?

          Clearly I’ve got some issues with this Johnny- come-lately syndrome. Being the eldest daughter means you were either the first girl born in the family or the first born outright, right? Am I to believe the first daughter isn’t overloaded with perks and privileges? Not to mention attention. Give me a break! This also means there are instances when the eldest daughter is also the youngest in the family. My little sister was the eldest daughter. She was the first and only daughter and the baby in the family, and she gets her own syndrome? F*** me!! 

          Meanwhile, our syndrome is totally based on not getting enough attention, and now it has to fight for attention with a rival syndrome!? It’s the ultimate irony. Trust me, the last thing we need is to get into a syndrome competition with our siblings. We all know who will come out on the losing end of that one. 

          I’m warning you, look out Middle Children. They’re coming for our syndrome. (And if you’re a Middle Child you know who “they” are.) While I could not find any reputable attorney to issue a cease and desist order, WE MUST STOP THIS MADNESS before every other birth order starts claiming a syndrome for themselves. What next... Youngest Son Syndrome? 2nd Born Left Handed Blonde Syndrome?

 

 

          

          Holy crap, it’s happening already!!!  As the founder of the International Middle Child Union, I cannot understand how I was not reached for comment about this new alleged syndrome. Oh wait, yes I can!

          Once again, the Middle Child is overlooked. 

 

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