Ashley Hunter
Greene Publishing, Inc.
While you may not have them off from work or printed on your calendar, hundreds of national holidays exist; several take place each day! Many of these holidays were created in jest, and others honor lesser known historical figures and public servants. Whether it’s World UFO Day (July 2), Book Lovers Day (August 9) or National Cream Filled Donut Day (September 14), you can find a unique way to celebrate each and every day.
Many believe that birth order plays a pivotal role in the personalities of children born into a family. For example, the oldest child will likely be the strong, confident leader, while the youngest is the pampered baby. Birth role is thought to provide a significant contribution to the 'Big Five' personality traits; extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience.
With the roles of leader and baby taken, the middle child gets left without a clear 'role.'
Whether or not there is any truth to that mindset, Aug. 12 is National Middle Child Day; a day that gives full focus to the 'left out' middle child.
Many middle children of three-child families can feel ignored or might feel that they receive less alone-time or praise with their parents.
Middle Child Day was established by a woman named Elizabeth Walker in the 1980's, as she wanted a day to honor the children who were born in the middle of their families and, whom she thought, were often left out. Originally, Walker intended the day to be celebrated on the second Saturday of August, but the date was later changed to Aug. 12.
Ways to celebrate Middle Child Day could include taking your middle sibling or child out for a special lunch or dinner or giving them a random gift.
If you are the middle child, don't despair! Some studies claim that middle children tend to be more artistic and creative. They also are considered to be more natural peace-makers. While all but two of the astronauts from the United States have been older siblings, 52 percent of United States presidents have been middle children. While middle children might not be as highly praised as their older sibling or as pampered as their younger sibling, some say that this is actually a benefit, as they learn to become independent, to think outside of the box, are more empathetic and are better at working with a team.
If you need further proof on just how special middle children are, take famous middle children themselves as examples; Abraham Lincoln, Bill Gates, Anne Hathaway, David Letterman, Susan B. Anthony, Charles Darwin, Jennifer Lopez, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Madonna are all middle children.
Whatever you decide to do to celebrate National Middle Child Day, if you plan on sharing your day on social media, use the hashtag, #NationalMiddleChildDay to let others know just how special middle children are.