Birth order and learning curves

Kids make us grow up, don’t they? I mean, I thought I at least kind of had life figured out with kiddos. And then I had a picture in my mind of what it would be like to grow our family. While a portion of the "picture" came to pass, many parts of the journey have been unexpected blessings!

For about a year now, I have heard a lot of “second born syndrome” comments, implying that I am different with Chase than I was with Tate – easier I suppose is the main theme. For example, Tate couldn’t bring cars onto his highchair, but I find we have a better dinner experience with just allowing Chase this little thing. Did I actually make it more of a “big thing” when Tate was his age? I don’t know. What I do know is, Tate was a different baby/toddler; I was different; Chase is different. It is all a learning and growing process – really fun stuff!

I have been reading The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman. I get a kick out of Leman in general, and this book has been an especially fun read. Birth order is fascinating and learning about typical birth order traits, how they develop and ways to work with them is interesting. Being a first and only myself, I understand the concept of perfectionism and achievement. Not that I think these things are bad, but as I get older I can see how too much can make things just a bit more challenging.

One thing Leman says in his book is that first born people are leaders and achievers – presidents, astronauts, anesthesiologist. These are good things! We need these highly motivated people in our world. Leman makes a joke that he was going in for a surgery and asked the anesthesiologist if he was a first born and once he answered yes, it was only then that Kevin allowed the doctors to proceed. So is it parents that instill the first borness into first borns? Yes. We are new at this parenting thing! And adult behavior is pretty much all they see, for a while anyway. Will the road be a little easier for Chase? I suppose. Is that a good or bad thing? Who knows. Leman says that the first borns “snowplow the roads of life” for the following siblings. We are all learning, growing and becoming the people God has planned for us to be! All our experiences – whether hiccups or success - are all just part of the journey.

I did find the difference in the below popsicle figures funny though. One is Tate’s and the other is Jordan’s. Keep in mind, Tate’s friend Jordan is a last born (out of 3). Which creation belongs to whom do you think?