How Your Birth Order Affects Your Parenting - Kevin Leman and Sally Dunn

What happens when the rule-following oldest child becomes a parent? When the peace-making middle child now has to discipline naughty children? When the life-of-the-party youngest has to create bedtime routines for her kids?

In this one day Focus on the Family broadcast, Jim Daly (youngest child) and John Fuller (oldest child) talk with Dr. Kevin Leman over his book, The Birth Order Book. Also joining the discussion is Sally Dunn—a middle child and mom.

In this interview, Dr. Kevin Leman (youngest child) helps listeners understand how birth order impacts who you are, whom you marry, the job you choose, and the kind of parent you are.

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[karilyons]

This rings true for me. I’m #3 out of 4 girls. I’m def middle child. Live in California, rest of family is in Ohio. Peacemaker, def feel left out and alienated when not included. Learned from watching my older siblings so never gave my opinion or did things I knew would get me in trouble.

[annatevesbanzon]

Very true about only children. I'm an only child and my hubby is 14 yrs my senior. I always joked that I was born 40. My friends have always been 10 yrs. Older than me, especially my church friends.

[tmcobb]

That was not nearly enough! I need a part 2 & 3 at least! 💜

[MommieVentures]

This is so interesting to me. I am a first born and grew up with just my younger brother. I am married to a first born and it was just him and his brother. We have 7 kiddos and I can see some of these characteristics in our kiddos. Will be looking into Kevin's book.

[Kellyfelsted]

Haha, I love all the 4th child video bites in the intro. Finally some representation.

[robhtp]

Thank you for the blessings of sharing your knowledge & wisdom Dr. Leman. The funny thing is that I’ve been knowing about this book since before my children we’d born and bow 14yrs later ok finally buying it. Thanks be to Jesus!

[Onafarmlovinit]

Birth order is very interesting and so much fun to discuss.

[beatrizcollan]

This was so interesting to learn thank Dr. Leman

[aaronaakre]

My brother is the baby his wife is oldest. They been. Together about 34. Yes my son is only kid. Older than his age ( sometimes ) lol. He was the only boy of his friends that was a Boy Scout. Also the only one of his group that was never in trouble with the law. He is the only boy from his group that got his Eagle Scout and is in the national guards.

[myhumbleheartedhome]

WOW. Firstborn here and always wondered why many of the firstborn characteristics were opposite of my characteristics!

[eyestothesky]

What’s the difference between a parent that has realistic expectations raising responsible children and a critical eye parent?

[cherylpe]

Very true especially the not making the same mistakes

[ruthrose]

When I was born I was the youngest. My brother died when I was 3 so then I was the only child. Then 8 yrs later I had another brother so became the oldest. My mom not knowing she was pregnant with me had her appendix out because it burst and had heavy drugs during back in 1957. I must be a mess. 🥴

[ChiakiNanami]

I’m the oldest of three girls, and had very critical parents, and yeah...he got me 😅 Of course, Asperger’s (from Dad’s side) probably had a lot to do with it, too... 😓 About 50/50 for describing the other two sisters. Middle spent 3 years literally on the other side of the globe, though.

[lydiacerdhe]

I would be interested in knowing more of how this works with blended families. My husband has a son from a previous marriage who is technically the first born on both sides, in our family and in his ex wife’s family. In our family we have another son who is 5 years younger than my stepson and we’re expecting twins. Will my son feel like a firstborn or a middle child?

[AccountabiliTei]

I’m the youngest of 2 - I have 1 older brother (2.5 years apart) and we have a very critical eyed single mother. I’m married to an eldest and only son 😂 I think we’re both functional eldest children lol

[quinoasongs]

are there other firstborns who were severely hesitant to become parents? Or chose not to be parents?

[aaronaakre]

As grandma, I’m harder on my first born grandson. I’m the oldest. Love my grandkids all three. Baby girl ( grandkids) is middle.

[Mamalolk]

I have twin girls snd I find although 2 mins apart, the birth order applies well

[Rose-Rae]

I even treat my dogs by age differently. The oldest gets the treat first then the second and lastly the third. I'm a firstborn child lol.