The Middle Child Syndrome

I have never felt like i didn't belong in my family. But i have definitely always had a sense of feeling ignored by my parents. In fifth grade i remember fighting to receive attention from my mom and dad. It wasn't that my parents didn't love me, they treated me great. Its just that i had a baby sister who constantly needed caring for and an older brother who was going through some rough times. Because he was getting bullied. So although my parents didn't mean put me in the corner, thats how i felt a lot during my childhood. I began reading these books my grandmother gave me called Ramona. I felt a strong connection with Ramona because she was about the same age as me and she was a middle child with siblings the same age as mine. Not to mention her family was hinted in the book not to be very wealthy. Which made me feel better about my fathers financial situation at the time. Ramona understood how being a middle child felt and in a way i looked up to her. I loved how she was quick witted and snappy with comebacks. I understood her need to create trouble to obtain the spotlight just for a minute from both her siblings. In fact, even the way she was described to look seemed to be like me. So I've always enjoyed in a way living through Ramona and learning from her mistakes before i probably would have made the same ones myself. I also realized through those books, that even though Ramona caused trouble and sometimes felt not very special compared to siblings. Her parents were always truly there for her and praised her for her drawings. Just like how my parents love me and praise me for my singing and acting. I had and still have talents that both my siblings do not possess. I also realized through Ramona that being a middle child is not all that bad. I get to be guided by an older brother and i get to take care of my younger sister. So I get to enjoy playing both these roles. Which i truly love =)