If You Relate To These 14 Things, You’re Probably The Middle Child

If You Relate To These 14 Things, You’re Probably The Middle Child

The order in which you were born into your family can say a lot about the type of childhood you have and ultimately, the type of adult you become. If you relate to any of the following, we’re pretty confident in guessing that you’re probably the middle child.

1. You’re the Diplomat of the Family.

Portrait of happy young man in white shirt with tie looking at camera outdoors. A successful businessman in a city street.

As a middle child, you’re often the peacemaker in family disputes. You have a knack for understanding both sides of an argument and are skilled at finding a middle ground. Your peacemaking skills are appreciated even if they’re not always acknowledged, and chances are you’ve been called upon more than once to resolve a family argument.

2. You’re Extremely Independent.

Being a middle child often means learning to entertain yourself. While your older sibling was out being a rebel and your younger sibling was being coddled, you developed a strong sense of independence. This trait has often served you well throughout life, helping you to take initiative and rely on your own resourcefulness when you’ve needed it.

3. You Sometimes Feel Overlooked.

Image of a young man looking at the camera.

Middle children often feel overlooked, sandwiched between the esteemed firstborn and the beloved baby of the family. From hand-me-down clothes to less captured memories in the family photo album, you’ve experienced being in the “forgotten” middle. But this has also taught you to value your own achievements and be self-reliant.

4. You’re Adaptable.

woman with arms crossed at office

Being in the middle, you’ve learned to go with the flow and adapt quickly to new situations. Whether it’s dealing with the dominance of an older sibling or the demands of a younger one, your adaptability is one of your strongest traits. You’ve proven time and again that you can adjust and flourish in changing circumstances.

5. You’re a bit of a Rebel.

Portrait of a serious mid adult woman at home

Middle children often feel the need to differentiate themselves from their siblings. This can lead to rebellious streaks, especially since you want to establish your own unique identity within the family. This desire to stand out has often led you to explore new paths and push boundaries in ways that your parents haven’t always approved of.

6. You’re Often the Bridge between your siblings.

smiling man portrait outdoors

As a middle child, you’re often the bridge between your older and younger siblings. You share common ground with both, which helps in fostering a strong bond among all siblings. Your role as a mediator and a confidant helps keep the family connected and as peaceful as possible.

7. You Have a Strong Sense of Justice.

woman with hands in pocket in front of foliage

Middle children often develop a strong sense of fairness, primarily because they’ve felt the sting of inequality more than their siblings. You’re likely to be the one calling for equal treatment or standing up against things you think are wrong. This deep-rooted sense of justice often extends beyond the family and into your wider social circles, as well.

8. You’re a Great Friend.

Portrait of happy fit people drinking water and running together outdoors. Couple sport healthy lifestyle

Your experiences as a middle child have made you a great friend. You’re empathetic, understanding, and know how to make other people feel included, especially since there were times when you didn’t feel that way growing up. Your friends appreciate your balanced perspective and your loyalty, and they often look to you for advice or a listening ear.

9. You Understand the Value of Alone Time.

Middle children often find themselves seeking solitude and cherishing moments of peace away from the family chaos. You’ve learned to value alone time and often use it to recharge and reflect. Giving yourself these moments has taught you the importance of self-care and introspection.

10. You Appreciate the Role You Play in the Family.

Despite the challenges, you appreciate being a middle child. You’ve learned valuable life skills, you cherish your unique position in the family, and you wouldn’t change it for the world. You realize that that being the middle child has shaped your character and given you unique experiences, so you consider yourself lucky.

11. You’re creative and resourceful when it comes to problem-solving.

As a middle child, you’ve learned to be resourceful since you often had to come up with creative solutions or make the best of what was available. This skill has served you well in life, especially since it enables you to think outside the box and approach problems with a unique perspective.

12. You’re Resilient.

With all the challenges and competition, being a middle child has given you the ability to bounce back easily. You’ve learned to handle tough times and move forward, making you stronger and more prepared for life’s challenges. This resilience has also helped you keep a positive attitude, which serves you well.

13. You’re a Master Compromiser.

guy playing basketball smiling

Being stuck in the middle has made you really good at compromise. You’ve learned that not everything can go your way, and sometimes, meeting in the middle is the best solution. This ability to find common ground and maintain balance has helped you in both your personal and professional relationships as an adult, so that’s a plus!

14. You’re Often More Open-Minded.

Being sandwiched between an older and a younger sibling, you’ve likely been exposed to a wide array of ideas, interests, and perspectives from a young age. This exposure often makes middle children more open-minded and tolerant. You’re likely to be the one who embraces diversity and encourages inclusivity within your family and social circles. That’s a pretty amazing gift!

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Piper Ryan is a NYC-based writer and matchmaker who works to bring millennials who are sick of dating apps and the bar scene together in an organic and efficient way. To date, she's paired up more than 120 couples, many of whom have gone on to get married. Her work has been highlighted in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The Cut, and many more.

In addition to runnnig her own business, Piper is passionate about charity work, advocating for vulnerable women and children in her local area and across the country. She is currently working on her first book, a non-fiction collection of stories focusing on female empowerment.
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