Its not difficult to see how firstborns can become so tightly wound: new to their roles as Mom and Dad, first-time parents can be overprotective and tentative while at the same time strict and demanding, says Leman. This can lead to “oldest child syndrome” and the conscientious desire to overachieve.

What is middle child syndrome?

What Is Middle-Child Syndrome? Many experts who study personality believe that your familys birth order plays a role in your development. They see middle-child syndrome as the idea that if youre neither the oldest child nor the youngest, you get less attention from your parents and feel “caught in the middle”.‌

Do parents love the first child more?

Most parents have a favourite child, and its probably the eldest, according to researchers. A study conducted at the University of California shows that out of 768 parents surveyed, 70 per cent of mothers and 74 per cent of fathers admitted to having a favourite child.