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February 19, 2010

Birth Order Part Two

I’m continuing my post on birth order today and talking about last born and only children. Go here for the first part of the post on birth order.

Last borns have fun personalities. They’re usually good communicators, but they can be selfish and manipulative. They’re trustworthy and open and tend to hog the limelight. Sometimes they’re dreamers. I actually see a little of my sister in this description, although I wouldn’t call her selfish.

According to the article I consulted, last born children think the Nike wrote their famous ad slogan for them. They love to “just do it.” The youngest child in the family often wants to prove to everyone else (especially older siblings) that they’re capable of doing anything they set their mind to. Last borns love to talk and like to show off, hogging the limelight.

Some last borns have big egos and with that comes impatience. They can be temperamental and spoiled. They make excellent actors and often work in the sales arena with much success.

Only children are good decision makers. They’re well-organized and problem solvers. They believe in themselves. On the downside, they can be self-centered and too critical of themselves. They’re sometimes lonely.

Only children have many of the traits of the first born child. Additionally, they will often make out that they’re in the right and ignore the opinions of others. Like first borns, an only child makes an excellent company director.

Source: Lifestyle Magazine June/July 2000, The New Birth Order Book: Why you are the way you are by Dr Kevin Lernan.

Do you fit in either of these categories? Do these character traits ring true?

14 Comments

  1. Nessa

    My daughter is an only child. You have her personality nailed.

    Detour

  2. sandra cox

    Some of those would fit in our family. Some not. Happy Friday, Shel.

  3. Jaime

    Our last child is so very different than our others. She’s sweet, quiet, and has such a gentle nature. Although the hogging the limelight thing is certainly something we see often! :lol:

  4. Mary

    My daughter is an only child and you have her personality pretty good here too.

  5. Shelley Munro

    It’s interesting that you’ve all said most of the character traits seem to fit for the youngest child. Most of them fit my younger sister.

    Birth order is certainly fascinating, and it’s something I intend to think about while writing future books.

  6. Debra Kayn

    :blush: That describes me. :mrgreen:

  7. Julia Smith

    I love your two posts on birth order. I’m a first born married to a last born – and that combo is apparently a good one.

  8. Ashley Ladd

    I’m an only child and yep, I often feel lonely. Well, I used to. Not most of the time anymore. I’m organized in some things and very disorganized in others. And I know I’m critical of myself.

    My youngest is always trying to prove himself.

  9. Shelley Munro

    LOL Debra.

    Julia – thanks. Yes, that is supposed to be a good combination. It works for me and my hubby.

    Ashley – I’m glad the loneliness is a thing of the past.

  10. cassandra

    I was an only child for 7 years then my brother was born after 7 years and died in 2007.

  11. cassandra

    i can understand a lot of this story in a way.

  12. Amy Ruttan

    I went back to read the first born. Yeah, my daughter is EXACTLY like that and Sumo is my middled child and is similar to those characteristics.

    My last guy, is already beginning to act like the traits in the last born post.

    It’s really freaky.

    Although I am a first born, and I really don’t fit the traits of a first born. Hmmm.

  13. Susan Helene Gottfried

    Heh. I SO fit my birth order. Now to make certain people more tolerant of this birth defect of mine…

  14. Shelley Munro

    It’s interesting how many of you have said the characteristics actually fit your birth order, so there’s obviously something in the theory.