Dear Middle Child, I Still See You

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We’ve got a house full of boys: four of them, ages seven and under. We’ve been told they’re the quietest, most well-behaved children in their classes. They listen well. They wait for their turns. They share.

Yet, at home, the gloves come off.

They’re all learning to hold their own and can get rowdy and wild, especially the two in the middle.

RELATED: In Defense of the Wild Child

No one feels change as deeply as the middle child.

No one feels as lost.

No one shouts as loudly, just wanting to be heard.

I’m learning our children wear their position in this family like a badge on a uniform.

The oldest is the pioneer. The brand new. The one who taught us what the sizes in those little bitty shoes mean. He’s the leader. The helper. He’s proud to do things first.

Then the second takes over the crib and gets so much attention from the very start. And then mama’s belly grows even bigger and pushes him into that new middle spot.

He’s not the big boy yet. But he’s not the needy newborn anymore.

RELATED: Dear Son, You’re in the Middle of Baby and Big Boy

He gets the hand-me-downs. The comparing. The expectations he just can’t meet. He’s not as mature as big brother but not as fragile as the littlest. Yet he’s still fragile.

He’s not the first one we packed a lunch for in kindergarten. And we forgot his field trip was his first time to ride a school bus.

He isn’t getting as much of a push with his homework. His eyes are on big brother to help him learn.

He shouts and cries that he doesn’t like mommy, just to demand some interaction right then and there. Yet, he wants to be cuddled to sleep every night and whispers you’re still his best friend.

He’s trying out his big-boy pants and is just struggling to keep them up.

So what can we do to help tame his temper when frustration starts another fight?

RELATED: Sometimes the Middle Child Needs a Little Extra Love

I’ve learned the help he needs is what he’s asking for.

It may take 10-15 minutes a day of giving him your undivided attention to remind him he’s still just as important as he was from the beginning, and he’s still so very loved.

He thinks he’s in the way. Show him how to be helpful.

Let him teach you patience. Make eye contact when he speaks.

And keep praying for him and cheering him on as he settles into this new role he’s living in.

Because even though he may be in the middle now, he needs to know he isn’t lost.

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

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Jaclyn Warren

Stay-at-home mommy of four on mission to encourage parents to savor the meaningful in the midst of the messy. Take your 15 minutes; it’s your turn for timeout. You can find her at www.mommys15minutes.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Mommys15Minutes-543229312706302/.

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Dear Middle Child, I Still See You

RELATED: In Defense of the Wild Child

No one feels change as deeply as the middle child.

RELATED: Dear Son, You’re in the Middle of Baby and Big Boy

He gets the hand-me-downs. The comparing. The expectations he just can’t meet. He’s not as mature as big brother but not as fragile as the littlest. Yet he’s still fragile.

He’s trying out his big-boy pants and is just struggling to keep them up.

RELATED: Sometimes the Middle Child Needs a Little Extra Love

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

Jaclyn Warren

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When You Look Back on These Pictures, I Hope You Feel My Love

For the Parents of the Kids Who Don’t Fit the Mold

Let Your Kids See You Try and Fail

My Kids Don’t Like to Read, but They Do Love to Learn

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

Before You, Boy, I Never Knew

It Hurts Seeing My Kid as a B-List Friend

5 Money Tips to Set Your Kids Up for a Strong Financial Future

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Order So God Made a Mother

Dear Middle Child, I Still See You

No one feels change as deeply as the middle child.

He gets the hand-me-downs. The comparing. The expectations he just can’t meet. He’s not as mature as big brother but not as fragile as the littlest. Yet he’s still fragile.

He’s trying out his big-boy pants and is just struggling to keep them up.

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

Look beyond the Labels for What You Don’t See

When You Look Back on These Pictures, I Hope You Feel My Love

For the Parents of the Kids Who Don’t Fit the Mold

Let Your Kids See You Try and Fail

My Kids Don’t Like to Read, but They Do Love to Learn

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

Before You, Boy, I Never Knew

It Hurts Seeing My Kid as a B-List Friend

5 Money Tips to Set Your Kids Up for a Strong Financial Future

Dear Hunter’s Mom, What I Really Want to Say

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