Does birth order matter?

credit: Sugar PondEmma is the middle child in her family. She is trustworthy, smart and conscientious. Even though she does well in school, she feels she never quite measures up to her siblings.

She is proud of her older sister, who is a star at everything she does, but Emma pulls back when she compares herself and comes up short in her eyes. There isn’t envy or jealousy, but there is self-doubt as to her own potential.

Although Emma is active in athletics and is a well-coordinated child, she knows she can’t hold a candle to her brother who is outstanding in little league. No matter how well she does at sports, she can never be a boy and she feels that is what really matters to her father who is her brother’s biggest fan.

The truth is Emma’s father is crazy about his little girl, loves her solid, dependable personality, yet he doesn’t do a very good job letting her know that. Her older sister recognizes Emma’s kindness and appreciates her support, but she never takes time to tell her. Her brother depends on Emma more than she knows. He looks up to her in admiration and often the first person his eyes focus on when he makes a good play, is Emma.

Whatever the truth is, Emma underestimates her importance in the family and if that opinion continues into adulthood, she will probably always think of herself as less than the others. In reality she was held in high esteem.

Do you have an Emma in your family? Someone who needs to be told just how much she or he means to you? I hope you'll do it today.

The Schoolmarm