I've been advised from a very dear friend that if she had it to do over again, that she would do more reading on middle children before her third was born. So, anyone have books on raising middle children that you'd rec?

Or advice you'd give me?

Thanks!

Personally I think parenting books are over rated. But that is *my* opinion. I have read a few books on boys, learning difficulties and some that pertain to certain things my kids struggle with as they are growing up, i.e. anger management, depression etc. But I'm not a parenting book reader, never was. Really I just use devotionals, the bible, true friends advice, talking- one on one for things. Books really give me little to go on in real life.

Being the mom of 5. Having a middle child in there, my spitfire, Kate its where is your middle child going to be. Are you done at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7..... we just really never knew. We thought we were done at 3, so #2 would have been our middle boy were we wrong. I know some love to read and are true believers in what books say, some take it and use what they can from books, nothing wrong with that, and some have success with that carrying over to their children. I just never really wanted that. I never wanted things to carry from a book to my kids (again this is me my opinion)

I wanted things to fall where they were meant to, suppose to fall. Where God intended for my family. Pray for direction, ask friends for support, seek it elsewhere instead of books which may have turned me more inward where I need to seek it outwardly with my personality and spiritually. When my kids were small at that time Sunday school, preschool, things to gage (not compare) for my parenting and techniques and my kids.

Now side note, my kids are no where near perfect. No where near what I would call what others may want their kids to be like most likely. *But* for our circumstances, our lives, my kids, I'm proud of who they are, where they are going, who I see in them, first, middle, end. Its where they are intended to be. I don't think any reading would have changed that. I love who my kids are, who Christ is in their lives, and who I am in their lives.

Shw, long winded I know. But that is my way of saying no. Us moms worry so much, so much about things. Unless you have time on your hands Kate, are on bedrest, or yes you are interested in what books say, sure go for it. I just never was, and I certainly may be wrong in my choices. Don't know. Don't think books help in raising a middle child (again my opinion)

love ya

sorry, quick reply...chaos abounding...

I don't buy into the whole 'middle child' thing.

I have a child who's acted like a 'middle child' since the day he was born, actually, since conception. Seriously.

According to the books/experts, they don't become middle children until they're middle children. My son blew that out of the water. LOL

I wouldn't sweat it Kate. Just keep lovin' and raising those babies, it'll all work out. (but then that's pretty much my motto for this entire parenting gig isn't it? it'll all work out )

I didn't read up on middle children and I don't think I need to. I believe each child is unique in their own special way and middle children don't need any more or less attention than any other child. Each one requires their own special path and needs their own special attention. A lot just comes down to knowing our children and their unique needs. A book really can't tell you that because all children are different. A middle child needs the same amount of attention as a first or last born. I think the problem mostly lies with us parents. By that I mean it's all too easy to place a lot of responsibility and attention on a first born and then smother the baby of the family while not thinking about the middle kid needing attention too. I wouldn't sweat it.

I tend to agree here... I have a child who "acts" like the middle child, but it's just her personality, she isn't technically "the middle child". I truly believe that children become what you *Expect* them to, and I always expected this one to behave that way... viola, I got what I expected. When I change *my* attitude and be positive with her, it's amazing the changes that take place. If you expect something to be disastrous, it probably will be. :)

Too much hype on middle children - I have lots of middle children and they act just fine for their individual personality. ;-)