It's commonly thought that the younger of two siblings gets a better deal. The second time around, parents are likely to be more lax with the rules, better-equipped to deal with the challenges of parenting and there are more toys to go around – right? However, sometimes it's not so easy to follow in the footsteps of an older brother or sister, and dads who are aware of the family dynamics will likely be more able to cater to their sons or daughters' needs.
Sibling rivalry can be tough to handle, and that's especially true when the older sibling is a superstar. Whether it be athletically, academically or socially, having to contend with a talented older brother or sister can make younger siblings feel inadequate and affect their self-esteem. According to MSNBC.com, this is especially true for middle children as they often have to try harder to gain attention. Getting good grades or performing well in sports may the expected norm rather than worthy of praise.
Any dad who's had an older brother likely has horror stories about getting beat up or otherwise picked on. Sure, it can be nice having them around to look up to, but the nuggies, Charlie horses and wet Willies counteract any good will.
It's not just siblings that can be guilty of making life tough for the second-born either. He will always be thought of as baby of the family, regardless of how old he gets. Nothing is more annoying to a teenager than being talked down to. He may always be the youngest, but he won't always be young.