Posts Tagged ‘baby’

I've been reading quite a bit on birth order lately.

I have learned that first-born children have stronger personalities than their siblings and are natural leaders. First-born children often take the place of their parents when the adults are not around, making them decision-makers. They are also known to be very family oriented and protective of their siblings. First-born kids tend to be unselfish and caring.

Last-born children are usually the smartest. They have seen the rights and the wrongs of their siblings and have learned from them. They also tend to be a little more mature for their age. Because parenting may be a little more lax and discipline reduced, last-born children are often confident and strong willed.

So far, so good. All pretty good traits and some very positive characteristics.

Now, the traits of middle children are a little underwhelming. Middle children are the peacekeepers by default. They are the mediators between their siblings are are sometimes associated as "people pleasers." Because they are in the middle, they do not receive as much attention as their siblings and can develop low self-esteem and lose confidence.

Ouch. That's a hard pill to swallow. Not only am I a middle child, I'm also the mother of one. And we're stuck with all of these negative personality traits simply because we happened to be born neither first nor last?

But, let's take a closer look, shall we...

I steer clear of arguments and bow down in the face of conflict. Growing up, I was always second-guessing myself and, frankly, I still do. To this very day I am unable to confidently express myself in a room full of people. So, even though I cringed as I read the traits of the middle child, I would have to agree with most of them.

As for my son...

Although he is definitely a "people pleaser," I believe there are always exceptions to the rule. Can I divert his path on this road? I certainly hope so. After all, being the only boy has got to count for something, right?

What about you? Are you the first born, the baby or somewhere in between? And do you agree with the personality traits linked to your birth order?

Welcome to the world, sweet precious baby.

We live in a wonderfully fantastic place. It's filled with endless possibilities.

As a baby born in 2012, the world is at your fingertips.

There are a few things, however, that you will probably never know. Things that were all too common to me when I was growing up. Things that I felt would be around forever and now seem so ancient and obsolete.

You, my dear child of 2012, will probably never know:

• What a record, cassette tape or CD is.

Image via Wikipedia

Music, as you know it has always been downloadable. You will never know what it's like to stand outside the music store for hours in the freezing rain before it's even open so you can be the first of your friends to hold that much-anticipated new release.

• What it's like to take pictures using film and having it developed at the photo shop.

Image via Wikipedia

With today's preview screens on cameras, you will never experience the anticipation of seeing those as-is photos for the first time in print format (cropped heads, red eyes and all). From the time you were born, pictures of you have been taken with a digital camera and shared with family and friends within seconds via social networking.

• How to call someone on a corded, rotary-dial, landline telephone.

Image via Wikipedia

You will never know what it's like to have a private conversation with your BFF on the family's only phone (stationed in the busiest room of the house -- the kitchen). Life for you will always include texting and cellphones, making it  much easier for you to talk about that cute boy in French class without fear of your parents overhearing.

• You will never have to open the pages of the dictionary to look up correct spellings and definitions.

Image via Wikipedia

Instead, without skipping a beat, you will automatically turn to the Internet for assistance.

• You will find it incomprehensible as to why we would ever...

Image via Wikipedia

leave our homes, hop in the car and drive to a video store to rent a movie when all you have to do is click a button on your remote or download it on your PC.

• Life for you will always have an increased sense of security.

Image via Wikipedia

You will probably never know what it's like to sleep comfortably with the doors unlocked and windows opened, sit in the backseat of your parents' car without a seatbelt or even ride your bike without a helmet.

My dear child of 2012, so much has evolved over the last few decades.

I wonder what changes you will see throughout your own life that your future children will probably never know.

Now this is one happy puppy!

If his vertical matched his excitement level of seeing Baby, he could propel himself right through the ceiling. Instead, what we get is an irresistible game of peekaboo between canine and kid.

Does your pet get this excited around your kids?

I would like to congratulate (more...)