National Middle Child Day

August 12th has been set aside to honor those in-between children in a family. Depending on how large the family is, this may be more than one child. For example, in my husband's family of six children, He and his sister were in the exact middle, and four children came between the oldest and the youngest.

In my daughter's family of three sons, however, there is a definite middle child (the first one in the photo), who doesn't share the spot with anyone else in the family. I like to quip that I'm the oldest, the youngest, and the one in the middle because I'm an only child. 

Studies have shown that birth order can play a part in personality development. Tradition has usually held that the first-born is often a leader, the youngest one is pampered, but the middle child is often neglected. Behavioral scientists believe that birth order contributes to the main personality traits of neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, openness to experiences, and agreeableness. But the extent and specific details remain up to debate. Regardless, this is a day to make the middle children feel special.

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