For those who are the middle child within your siblings

I think many people will have complaints about where they were born into the family - the oldest has to 'pave' the way for the others. The baby is never allowed to grow up or be taken seriously, etc.

I don't think the decision of how many kids to have should be based on others experiences. Every family is different and things will vary based on the parents, the gender of the children, the age differences, and most importantly, the children themselves.

You also can't always plan these things...my parents had not planned on having a third child 9 years later!

(Al's the baby of 4 and is the favored child. So there's an example of an even number of kids with discrimination occuring, leaving 3 of the children out in the cold. And as far as the kids relationships went, the 3 youngest were closest, leaving the oldest out - age/gender differences: two girls, then two boys, current ages 39, 36, 33 and 31.)

Lisat I think your right. I guess with DH experience with his Sis and stuff he doesn't think like that. Oh well I guess we will have to see how everything goes.

Thanks girls for your opinions.

I too think it's all about the parenting. The reality is, you will treat your children differently b/c all children are different with different personalities...it's about tempering that difference by playing up each child's individual talents and strengths.

I'm a middle child, but it was a little unique, my older bro/sis are 11/12 years older, and my little sis is 9 yrs younger. My brother is a mess b/c he was the boy in between 3 girls and my older sister has issues about being favored.

My hubby is a twin, and that comes with it's own problems.

My bro. has 2 girls, and favors the youngest sooo much b/c he 'likes' her personality better. The older one is a mess. It's all about the parenting.

Happy middle child right here! Never a day in my life have I thought I have middle child syndrome. I have one older and one younger brother. So like others, I suppose being the only girl can make you exempt from a life of being the forgotten middle child.

IMO, no matter how many kids you have, 2, 3, 5, 6...there are always going to be two that get along better with each other, feel closer to some siblings than to others and possibly even be a 'black sheep'. We want 2 or three children and that decision is not based on the number being odd or even, but more of if we have two of the same sex in a row, we will go for three to try to mix it up! If we wind up with three of the same sex than that is what is meant to be.

I think as a parent you need to make a conscious effort to be aware of the differences of your children and treat them as such and all will be fine. So, I'm gonna have to disagree with your DH. Even numbers doesn't guarentee a happier and better adjusted family over an odd number.

I think it just has to do with the way you are raised. I don't beleive in that neglected middle child stuff. I am a middle child. second out of four kids. We had an even number and techincally as the second child I should in that category.
My parents raised each of us as individuals. We were never starved for attention. They treated us as equals and my parents made each of us feel special. Each of us has our own spotlight in the family depending on what we exceled at. I don't think it is bad to be in the middle.
Edited to say that my FI is also a middle child but raised by his father, the rest of his siblings by the mother so he essentially has the only child syndrome. I am teaching him how to share and compromise now.