Comments on: Birth Order: The youngest as nurturer

By: Shannon

Shannon — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:07:46 +0000

That is amazing and such a great viewpoint. I’ve read Kevin Lehman’s Birth Order Book and wow. I’m a classic firstborn-it upset me how textbook I was. I just want to be unpredictable. But that alas, is not in my nature.
Such a cute pic of your little guy-as always.

By: Andie

Andie — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:17:32 +0000

As a mother to four as well, I really enjoyed reading this. Loved the pic.
Happy LT,
a.

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:16:05 +0000

What a beautiful story (and picture)!

By: bubandpie

bubandpie — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:47:51 +0000

My best friend was the middle child, and in her family the alliance of youngest and oldest against her was very pronounced. I always assumed it had to do with (a) the personality problems of her older brother, and (b) gender: since the youngest was a girl, the brother had a strong motive to ensure that the two girls didn't band together against him. Fascinating to see how common this dynamic can be.

SJ said: BubandPie, sad, how much of this plays out to be true, with sometimes difficult consequences. As parents, staying aware of what could happen, can at least help us to avert the negatives so that what could be inevitable consequences can be buffered.

By: risingrainbow

risingrainbow — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:23:28 +0000

I think that how the family is in the first place affects how children turn out. If a child is raised with love, that’s what they’ll learn. Your children are very lucky to have you as a mom.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:52:13 +0000

Awww. It will be interesting to see how my 3rd one changes our family dynamic.

Heather, just curious if you know if you're having a boy or a girl?

By: henitsirk

henitsirk — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:53:11 +0000

Imitation is huge for younger siblings. Yes, they can be the "baby," but they're automatically going to idolize the older ones, and follow and imitate them. Just as they imitate their parents. Waldorf early childhood principles are all about this impulse to imitate in the young child.

Sj said: Henitsirk, sometimes that's not always a GOOD thing -- but it's inevitable.

By: MotherPie

MotherPie — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:24:59 +0000

I think there is much truth to birth order, but the sex of the child also comes into play a lot, I think. I was very aware of all of these studies after I had my first child and it did have something to do with how I planned the second and third.

By: louann

louann — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:09:42 +0000

Sending off some love to his big brothers! =)

He is sweet…just like you Susie =)

By: amy

amy — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:26:49 +0000

lovely Susie- made me think and made me cry