<p>So here’s a topic I’ve wondered about [not enough to research it though]…in your families [w/ your kids or w/ your own siblings], did any of the stereotypes about personality and family position hold up? Is your oldest the mature, responsible sibling who is always on top of everything, always planning for his/her future, and will even accept your advice even if he may not be 100% convinced? Is the youngest more laidback, carefree about non-important things [i.e. not school or work], and more independent–to the point of saying–I won’t do it this way just because you want me to or because older bro/sis did it this way?</p>
<p>Do these stereotypes hold up–are there other distinctions between older and younger kids, esp w/ 2 kid families?</p>
<p>Is the stereotype really that the youngest is more independent? I’ve always heard the reverse, and that’s also true in my family. I’m a straight-A student, and I never ask for help with homework (as opposed to my younger sister, who always needs someone to explain things to her).</p>
<p>The entirety of the negative paragraph and most of the positive one certainly doesn’t apply to my older sister; it fits me (the middle child) much more than it fits her, with the exception of the stuff about being a leader (I’m a pushover with poor people skills).</p>
<p>My kids are just the opposite! My first-born is pretty laid back, easy-going. He always needed prodding, a procrastinator (at least as far as school work). My younger is very independent, right on top of things naturally, never needs prodding. But, among my own siblings, there is more stereotypical personality traits: Oldest was the “good child” growing up, obedient and responsible. The middle child is (still) rather defensive, a bit of a chip on the ol’ shoulder. Me (the “baby”), got away with a lot and had more freedom (I think my parents were tired by the time I rolled around!)</p>
<p>Something that contradicts what I posted above is our approach to rules and morals … my sister has an absolute sense of morality (she does everything according to the rules, and is afraid to try anything new because “what if we’re not supposed to?”), whereas mine is definitely relative (I look at the individual situation and use my own judgment, which sometimes coincides with the rules and sometimes not). She’s three years younger than me.</p>
<p>i am the middle child. i care most about school, succeding and all that good stuff with good grades and always behaves. :D</p>
<p>my older sister is more laidback, but she def cares. she got good grades in high school, but was home late every night (unlike me). she is also the most independent, though i am too.</p>
<p>my younger brother just doesnt care as much. he doesnt really think about things. he has always had people do things for him, so he doesnt do things for himself. </p>
<p>btw, my brother is 16, i am 17, and my sister is 19</p>