There are four kids in our family, so technically he isn't the middle kid. But he was born third, the middle of the three boys, and in practice he is couldn't be more wedged in. He is a soft-spoken kind of guy, ten years old now, sometimes literally so soft that we have to ask him to speak up. The brother above him is not often quiet; he started speaking when he was one and hasn't really stopped. The younger one is a raging exrovert, bursting with laughter and energy and wide-eyed enthusiasm for fun and games. So our middle guy is surrounded by strong personalities, and sometimes it is hard to identify his particular voice in the madness.
Sometimes he's one of the big boys and the young one is left out. Other times big brother and sister get privileges and opportunities that he and the little guy don't. The big ones want to watch Avengers and the little one still likes Disney. The older ones got to go to the theatre to see West Side Story but he had to be babysat. I'm beginning to allow the older one to ride his bike to his friends' houses but I'm not happy that it's safe for him yet. He's in between: not the oldest, not the baby. He isn't "invited" when big brother has his buddies over, and he has to share a room with the younger one who jumps on his bed, bothers him when he is trying to read and begs him to play Military Vehicle Top Trumps.
He ponders things. Sometimes I watch him and I know that growing mind is ticking, ticking, turning things over, sorting facts and observations into categories, trying to fit every new discovery and experience into his inner framework. When something clashes, his brow knits together and there is quiet, perhaps a few questions, as he figures it out. When he was three he was convinced that cars tipped onto two wheels when they turned a corner. We had to make him watch the real thing before he conceded that he was wrong. He adjusted his framework and moved on. That's how he rolls.
They call it strong intuition, and it's pretty useful sometimes. Maths is easy for him - one brief explanation and he's got it. Spelling - not so much - there are so many rules and exceptions to remember! Illogical things frustrate him. Unfairness and injustice is hard to understand.
I think it's good that this kid of ours, with his quirky sense of humour, love of great puns and awesome flossing skillz, is the middle child. He does a pretty good job at balancing out the crazy in our home!
(Written for my first Five Minute Friday Weekly Link-up)
