Birth Order

Send us Fan Mail Birth order gets tossed around like a shortcut to understanding yourself: firstborns lead, middle kids smooth things over, and the youngest walks in with charm and chaos. We wanted to test that idea the only way we know how, by mixing real family stories with what the research actually claims. Along the way, we take a few delightful detours into fall life, a book we’re loving, a genuinely good fast food cookie, and the two movies we cannot stop thinking about, including the Elizabeth Holmes Theranos documentary that sounds completely bananas. Then we get into the heart of it: birth order psychology, sibling dynamics, and why your “role” can feel obvious at home but almost invisible in adult life. We talk about the classic firstborn, middle child, and youngest child traits, and why you can revert to old patterns the second you’re back with siblings or even run into your sibling’s friends. We also dig into how age gaps and gender can reshape everything, like the “oldest girl” effect and the way spacing changes whether kids feel like teammates or strangers sharing a last name. We bring in the messy middle ground of birth order research too: what studies suggest about personality traits (including the Big Five OCEAN model), what doesn’t hold up, and why genes, family environment, and context can matter more than your spot in the lineup. If you’ve ever wondered why you become “12 years old again” around certain people, or why your family roles feel permanently assigned, this one will feel uncomfortably familiar in the best way. If you like the conversation, subscribe so you don’t miss next week, share this with a sibling who will argue with your take, and leave a review with your birth order and whether you think it fits you. Mike Haggerty Buick GMC Right on the corner, right on the price! Head down to 93rd & Cicero & tell them the Noras sent you! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.