LIFE

Despite what your parents and your sibs might say, all of us middle children know *exactly* how difficult it is being stuck in between. Living a life full of hand-me-downs, comparisons and flat out unfairness is absolutely real—and we know you'll totally relate to the following all too well.  

You have to desperately fight for your parents' attention. 
With your older sibling off causing trouble, and your younger sibling being their typical adorable self, you often find yourself being ignored and find yourself constantly in a battle with your sibs to take the spotlight for yourself. 

You are always trying to keep the peace during fights.
You're the go-to mediator during arguments. Your little sis has you tell your older bro one thing while your bro has you tell her something else. You didn't mind it all that much...until your parents started getting in on the act, pushing all sibling arguments onto you so it was out of their hair. What the heck?!

Sharing is caring? Yeah...nice try.
Sharing with your siblings actually meant taking a backseat to what they wanted (see above, you are the type to "go along to get along"). Which, if you do say so yourself, is totally unfair.

You aren’t the first, and yet you aren't the baby either.
Your older sib was your parents' first so everything they did was met with absolute awe because they were the first to do it. And then you came along, doing the same mediocre thing, and they were less than impressed. This is understandable...until your baby sibling comes along and everything they do is met with the same bright eyes. Why? Because this is the last time your parents will get to experience it, so of course they decide to get emotional about it. 

Unique is your middle name.
If you had any hope of standing out from your siblings, you had to be different. This might mean becoming an artists in a family full of athletes, or becoming an athlete in a family full of artists. Whatever unique path you decide to take, you made sure that your sibling hadn’t traveled down it previously or else the whole plan went out the window. 

You have tough skin.
Growing up in the shadow of your older and younger siblings meant that you didn’t always get the same praise they did. Your parents didn’t mean any harm by it, they just had a lot going on. But as a result, you formed a thick skin which helps you cope with everything. 

Hand-me-downs are your life.
Hand-me-downs come in various forms. Clothes, school supplies, cars. Heck, you even once got a watch as a hand-me-down from your older sibling. They are the norm in your life, and you don’t even question it anymore. 

Camouflaging is a skill you want to put on your resume.
Being the middle child isn’t always the worst thing! When you’re ignored by your parents because they’re focusing on your older and younger siblings there is a silver lining: You can sometimes get away with more. Whether it’s because they don’t notice, or they don’t care, you’re able to slip through the cracks. 

Everyone refers to you as Joe's little sister. 
There were times in your childhood where you started to believe that ‘Insert-older-sibling's-name-here’s little sister’ was actually your name. Seriously, if another teacher mixes up your name one more time...

What is your least (and most!) favorite thing about being a middle child? Let us know below! 

Photo credit: Hollywood Take.

by Kaila L. | 2/2/2017