How on earth did each of your kids turn out to be so very different from one another? It may have to do with where they sit in the family tree. Birth order can influence your
kid’s personality and behavior more than we know. We have found that a great tool for raising Godly kids is in understanding our kid’s birth order. Dr. Kevin Leman and other respected psychologists have written extensively on this subject, and there are amazing truths which can help parents better understand children. The amount of children in a family, if there are step siblings involved, or half siblings, or if kids are an only child all can change things up a bit, but the basic principles often hold true. Another variable is how many years there are between children in the birth order. The oldest generally are the take charge leader type. They are not always outspoken about it, but they often are strong willed and determined and definitely conscientious. Middle kids are usually peacemakers and mediators. They tend more often to be people pleasers. Youngest children very often think the world revolves around them, and often become the entertainer, or the life of the party. These great insights in Dr. Leman’s books, and also great charts available on the internet to see how you can better understand your kids when it comes to birth order. It is well worth your time to do the research. Because we want to be the best parents we can be, use all of the resources you have available to stretch and grow. As parents we don’t get a dress rehearsal, this is the real thing. Let’s do our best!