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stuck in the middle

9 struggles that middle children know all too well

Middle children, stand up and be counted.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, research carried out by YouGov found that youngest children are funnier and more relaxed than their siblings, with eldest children found to be more responsible and successful.

Meanwhile, middle children were left asking: “What about me?”

Yes, often the middle child has a bad lot (or at least, they think they have a bad lot). Here are nine struggles that middle children know all too well.

The pain of being forgotten about

The most common thing associated with the middle child. It’s a cliché, but that’s only because it’s TRUE.

*sobs*

And the frustration of being remembered, but remembered wrongly

“Pass me the remote, Sandra.” “It’s Deirdre, Dad.”

Or of course, this:

Realising that no one ever really listens to you

All it takes is one word from Older or Younger Sibling, and the focus is off.

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Having to act as a go-between for your warring siblings

You are the dog in this gif.

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Those peacekeeping skills you learned have come in handy though, right?

‘Your turn’ meant ‘whenever everyone else is finished having a go’

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Oh great, thanks.

The sadness of the phrase “What about me?”

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And how often you must utter it.

Having to go the extra mile for attention

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And how badly that often works out.

The bittersweet taste of small victories

The oldest gets scolded, the youngest is fretted over, while you sneak around surreptitiously breaking some rules, unnoticed.

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Feels great, until you think more about the ‘unnoticed’ part.

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And this picture

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Ah yes, the moment he realised he was the middle child.

More: The youngest sibling is the funniest, new study reveals>

And more for older siblings, younger siblings, and only children>

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