Ah, birth order psychology, or ‘astrology for the family unit’, perhaps. You might be familiar with the theories, accredited and debunked alike over the years. The notion that first borns are natural leaders, charismatic and have generally higher IQs. The middle child might compensate for lack of attention by becoming a performer or demonstrate behavioural problems. The last child, having been most nurtured, is either the most nurturing in return or is so horribly spoiled as to be ruined in character. You know, those kinds of ideas. Ideas, or “garbage” as others have said.
{Except for the first born thing – that is totally true, speaking as a first born myself. We’re the bomb, baby.}
All this said, I do wonder how much younger siblings look up to and/or envy older siblings. Going by what I witnessed in this house this past week, I think the evidence is pretty substantial that the divider between admiration and envy can be a very, very fine one.
Keira only just recently lost her first tooth. As hers were late coming in, this wasn’t unexpected. As Riley’s were very early coming in (bottom two at same time, at five months. Boy, that was a FUN PERIOD.) I thought he would start losing them early, which is exactly what happened.
Unexpectedly, I might add. One day he said, “Mum, my tooth is wobbly” and I was like, “Okay, let me take a look” in masked patronising ‘oh come on I know you want to catch up to your sister’ kind of way and then I wobbled it and I’m like, “Jeebus! Someone put that tooth fairy on standby”.
Here’s a photo!
Lucky I took the shot, for he lost the tooth the next day. Where? We have no idea. Preschool? While eating? He thinks it was on the toilet. (Don’t ask why. You’ll regret it.)
The tooth fairy hasn’t come yet because he could care less about the money. He’s cashing in on the “IN YOUR FACE BIG SISTER, I LOST MY FIRST TOOTH EARLIER THAN YOU” factor. But that will get old soon (I’m hoping) and then he’ll remember about the dosh. I keep reminding him, “Is the tooth fairy going to come tonight?” and he shrugs with a ‘whatever’ expression.
Flash forward to the teenage years right there, I think.
