Would you rather be the oldest child, in the middle, or the youngest?

1. 84

   nanderson500posted 11 years ago

   Would you rather be the oldest child, in the middle, or the youngest?

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2. 67

   Alecia Murphyposted 11 years ago

   I am an only but I think I wouldn't mind being the oldest. I know they have a huge responsibility but I feel like it is fun to help your siblings as they grow up and deal with things. Interesting question.

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   1. 82

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Alecia, be glad that you are an only child.   The only child is the BEST and MOST UNIQUE birth orders around.   Only children do not have the drama that the other birth orders have.

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3. 78

   calynbanaposted 11 years ago

   I am the oldest, I always wished I was the youngest but when I really think about it I wouldn't want anything to change. Being the oldest taught me valuable skills that are harder for younger sibs to learn.

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4. 62

   petertebinposted 11 years ago

   Since I am currently the oldest I would still choose to be the oldest. Now it might have been fun having an older sister around but no I love it. I am actually also the oldest grand kid on my mothers side so I was spoiled!

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5. 88

   bankscottageposted 11 years ago

   I am the oldest and have been for 56 years.  Probably can't change it and wouldn't change it if I could.

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6. 60

   ElleBeeposted 11 years ago

   I am the oldest and it seems to work for me. Not sure I always loved it when I was a kid, but looking back now I'd say it was a good place to be.

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7. 0

   Garifaliaposted 11 years ago

   I am the oldest of two and it has been trying; too many responsibilities on my shoulders. I wouldn't want to be the middle child; not enough attention given to this child and most people born in the middle try to keep the balance in the family. Perhaps, I'd like to try being the youngest and have everybody lavish their attention on me and run the risk of not being so responsible.

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   1. 82

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I definitely feel your pain.   The oldest child is the most difficult and taxing of all birth order.   Oldest children are often the ones who bear the blame if younger siblings act up and often the most punished.   Oldest children must be on 24/7/365

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8. 64

   snapbackbettyposted 11 years ago

   Growing up as an only child, I would take either one of those. I always wanted siblings.

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   1. 82

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      There is nothing wrong with being an only child.   This birth order is one of the freest and most individualistic.   You are indeed blessed.   It is quite unfortunate that this sibling culture makes only children seem to be "lacking".

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9. 82

   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   Each person is influenced by his/her birth order. Are you a conscientious oldest, everyperson middle, or a fun loving, irrepressible youngest? read more

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10. 71

    austinhealyposted 11 years ago

    As an oldest child, with three others behind me, I got blamed for a lot of things I didn't actually do. But I wouldn't have it any other way as it made my skin thicker, and out of the 4 children, I was probably the best prepared to face life, which in my opinion was a great advantage.

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    1. 82

       gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Wrote a hub on this subject.    You have stated quite succinctly the travails in the lives of oldest children in the family.

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11. 0

    matama ellieposted 11 years ago

    I am the oldest and it has both pros and cons.
    I can always get away with being bossy although my siblings no longer want to listen to me since they grew up and one became taller than me.
    Being older unfortunately, also gives you more responsibilities and less room to maneuver when it comes to misbehaving.You are always the "example to your siblings".
    I would not give up my position though, most of the time things are good.

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12. 82

    gmwilliamsposted 4 years ago

    None of the above.  Oldest children catch hell.  They have the shortest childhoods & adolescence, if at all.  They are loved  & hug less.  They are punished more harshly.  They are held up stricter standards.  They are cast aside in favor of younger siblings.  Hell is heaven in comparison to the life of the oldest child in the family.
    
    Middle children are well....invisible. Their individuality isn't recognized at all.  They are either so & so's older or younger sibling.  They received the LEAST attention & have to fight for their place in the family constellation.  Being a middle child is like being in the 9th circle of hell.
    
    Youngest children are the babies.  They have it made.  They will always be at the center of their parent's universe.  But the THING is...that their older siblings hate their privileged position although the latter have to be nice to the youngest in the presence of their parents.  However when the parents aren't here, the older siblings show their "love" for the youngest sibling by bullying & other manifested behavior..  The youngest sibling are oftentimes at the receiving end of their older siblings' envy & ganging up on them a la Joseph.
    
    I am an only child & BLESSED that I am..  Only children are the luckiest of all birth orders.  They are never cast aside nor discarded in favor of succedent siblings.  They have the freedom to exercise their individuality to the highest potential.  They will never be compared to other siblings.  They have individualized parental attention unlike children w/siblings.  Since they don't have to endure sibling dynamics, they are free to develop & create to the optimal level. Only children are allowed to be children & adolescents-they aren't curtailed or pushed to grow up prematurely like oldest children, they aren't ignored nor dismissed like middle children & excessively babied & not taken seriously like youngest children are.

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