National Middle Child Day Date in the current year: August 12, 2024

In the perfect world all parents treat their children equally regardless of how many of them they have and their ages. However, there is a theory that children born in the middle are sometimes treated differently or seen differently by their parents than their older and younger siblings, resulting in a phenomenon called middle child syndrome.

According to this theory, the firstborn is often seen as the leader and role model for his or her siblings, and the youngest child is the baby of the family, whereas the child (or children) born in-between doesn’t have a defined role and may feel like they receive less attention from their parents.

The term “middle child syndrome” does not describe a mental disorder; it is a hypothetical idea that tells how the birth order of middle children may affect their character, development, and worldview. For example, middle children may be more reliant on friends than family and more protective of their relationships outside of the family. They often have to act as peacemakers and negotiators between their older and younger siblings, but have no one to speak on their behalf.

On the other hand, middle children tend to be more empathetic, diplomatic, independent, self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable, which contributes to them being successful in life. Famous middle children include, for example, Abraham Lincoln, Princess Diana, David Letterman, Bill Gates, Martin Luther King Jr., Britney Spears, John F. Kennedy, Madonna, Diana Ross, Ernest Hemingway, Michael Jordan, Chris Hemsworth, Michael Jackson, Walt Disney, Mark Zuckerberg, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, and many others.

Of course, each family is different; there are plenty of parents who treat their children equally regardless of their birth order and make sure that each kid gets enough one-on-one attention. However, middle child syndrome is something to think about if you have (or are planning to have) more than two children.

The celebration of National Middle Child Day, originally known as National Middle Children’s Day, was started by a woman named Elizabeth Walker back in the 1980s. She wanted to honor children who are born in the middle of families and may feel left out. The holiday was initially celebrated on the second Saturday of August, but at some point its date was changed to August 12, and it was renamed National Middle Child Day.

How can you observe National Middle Child Day? If you’re a middle child, celebrate your unique position in the family and allow your siblings and parents shower you with the attention you deserve. If you have a middle child or a sibling who’s a middle child, spend some quality time with them doing things they love – today is their day, so let them choose what they’d like to do.

If they don’t live close by, reach out to your child/sibling to let them know that you are thinking of them, love them and will always be there for them, and that they hold a special place in your heart just like they hold a special place in your family. And don’t forget to give a shout out to all the middle children out there using the hashtags #NationalMiddleChildDay and #MiddleChildDay to spread the word.