Mrs M
yoda76BIRTH ORDER - FIRST BORNS
March 23rd 2007 01:24
Ive been doing quite a bit of reading on birth order lately and I have to say it really is fascinating stuff. Not just to see how my children might turn out, but seeing how these theories apply to me and my siblings. I have to say that at times, it is freakishly accurate.
So today I begin the Birth Order series. Let me present the First Borns.
The first book I will refer to is Teach Your Child by Dr Miriam Stoppard.
Her list of personality characteristics of first borns include:-
Uncertainty
Mistrustfulness
Insecurity
Shrewdness
Dependency
Responsibility
Authoritarianism
Jealousy
Conservatism
Excitability
Sensitiveness
Self-achievement drive
Need for affiliation
The other popular book about birth order is Why First Borns Rule The World and Last Borns Want To Change It by Michael Grose.
His list of characteristics include:-
Goal-setters
High achievers
Perfectionists
Responsible
Rule Keepers
Determined
Detail People
More neurotic
More intense
More inflexible
Grose says that first borns fall into 3 categories:-
1. The Leader of Pack responsibility is generally thrust upon them.
2. The Shepherd (second mother or father) They love to please because they have a strong need for approval of others.
3. The Hard Driver (high octane superwomen/man) cant sit still and tend to do everything on their own. They dont make great team players, as they leave others in their wake.
Here are five strategies Grose recommends if you live or work with a first born.
1. Encourage rather than criticize
2. Save some responsibilities for others
3. Have special times and privileges
4. Flaunt your imperfections
5. Provide structure and rules
What kind of parents do first borns make?
Grose says they make terrific parents because they take parenting seriously they try to learn all they can. However their tendency for perfectionism can make them critical of their children.
Does anyone agree or disagree with this assessment of first borns?
So today I begin the Birth Order series. Let me present the First Borns.
The first book I will refer to is Teach Your Child by Dr Miriam Stoppard.
Her list of personality characteristics of first borns include:-
Uncertainty
Mistrustfulness
Insecurity
Shrewdness
Dependency
Responsibility
Authoritarianism
Jealousy
Conservatism
Excitability
Sensitiveness
Self-achievement drive
Need for affiliation
The other popular book about birth order is Why First Borns Rule The World and Last Borns Want To Change It by Michael Grose.
His list of characteristics include:-
Goal-setters
High achievers
Perfectionists
Responsible
Rule Keepers
Determined
Detail People
More neurotic
More intense
More inflexible
Grose says that first borns fall into 3 categories:-
1. The Leader of Pack responsibility is generally thrust upon them.
2. The Shepherd (second mother or father) They love to please because they have a strong need for approval of others.
3. The Hard Driver (high octane superwomen/man) cant sit still and tend to do everything on their own. They dont make great team players, as they leave others in their wake.
Here are five strategies Grose recommends if you live or work with a first born.
1. Encourage rather than criticize
2. Save some responsibilities for others
3. Have special times and privileges
4. Flaunt your imperfections
5. Provide structure and rules
What kind of parents do first borns make?
Grose says they make terrific parents because they take parenting seriously they try to learn all they can. However their tendency for perfectionism can make them critical of their children.
Does anyone agree or disagree with this assessment of first borns?
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Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ash
Comment by Wendi
Comment by D. Armenta
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
It really is fascinating stuff and I agree - they should hand this stuff out in hospitals.
Hi Wendi,
Well Wendi I'm the youngest but my closest sibling is 9 years older than me so I also have traits of an "only" child as well. Only children are closest to first borns when it comes to personality characteristics. So obviously there can be some variation to all this.
Hi D,
The book my Michael Grose goes into a lot more detail about birth order and relationships. ie what kind of marriage 2 first borns might have, or a 3rd born and a 1st born etc.
It even goes into detail about birth order and gender.
Thanks everyone for the visit and the comments.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
Great info!
I agreed most with this part of it. My hubby and I are both first borns and I think both the negative and positive aspects of this are appropriate for both of us. It's something certainly to keep in mind as parents. I also liked the part on strategies with first borns!
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Grose also talks about birth order and marriage. I'll try and write a wrap up post this week.
Hi Lilla,
Many thanks.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Wow, that stuff really is accurate!! I'm a first born and I definitely fall into one of Grosse's categories.
Intriguing stuff
Kylie
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I'm learning a little more about you all as well
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
Interesting stuff.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
So I've learnt a little more about you today. And you bake bread.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts