You know what they don’t tell you about having more than one kid? That you basically become a whole different parent with each one. Not in a “I gave up” kind of way (okay, maybe just a little), but more so in a “wow, I really thought I had this parenting thing figured out… but what the heck was that” kind of way.
Let’s break it down—because if you’ve got more than one child running around your house (or asking for a snack as you read this), you’ll feel this deep in your soul.
Kid #1:
The Test Subject
Ah, the firstborn. The one we read all the parenting books about and sterilized binkies for. We tracked every single milestone, cut grapes into microscopic slivers, and had a baby shower registry with things we would never even use on it. We had some serious expectations and schedules planned. Plus a Pinterest board and checklist for everything.
Firstborns get the most rules and the least chill. But in our defense, we were learning too. They often beg for a sibling, if only to take the light off of them for a little while, and are almost as excited as their parents when the pregnancy is announced.
These kids will often grow up to be responsible perfectionists that are wildly confused as to why their siblings never had to do nearly as much.
Kid #2:
The Human Middle Ground
By the time baby #2 shows up, you’re well seasoned. You’ve cried in the bathroom and surrendered to the chaos (finally). You’re still parenting, but now it comes with snacks, sarcasm and an eye roll or two daily.
Middle children often fly under the radar. They get less micromanaging and more freedom—but also have a knack for getting into mischief. If, and when, something gets broken, ask the middle child. They either did it or know who did. Just be prepared to barter for any information they might have as they fear the wrath of the bigger sibling and hate to see the younger sibling cry.
These kids will become the diplomats of the household: adaptable, social, and suspiciously good at knowing where the snacks are hidden.
Kid #3 (and beyond):
The (Slightly Feral) Free Spirit
The last kid (whether that’s #3 or #6) gets the full “let’s just survive the day with no trips to the ER” version of us. Besides, we’re officially picking our battles now and know exactly which ones are worth the fight.
Wearing mismatched socks? At least they’re wearing socks.
Serving cereal for dinner? Zero guilt.
We love them just as fiercely, but let’s be honest: the bar for what constitutes “a win” is so much lower. Some will say that youngest (or last) child is babied but I think it’s more the “cherish every last moment” mindset from mom’s (that gets taken a little bit too far sometimes.)
But the personality of these kids? Confident, charismatic, and maybe just a tiny bit feral. They’ve seen it all—from chore charts that fizzled out in a week to bedtime routines that became “just get in the bed… please.”
Parenting isn’t static—it grows with us. We get more confident, more empathetic, and way more aware that each kid is their own little weirdo with unique needs (and snack preferences.) What works for one child might totally backfire on another. And that’s not failure at all, it’s adaptability. It’s giving yourself grace for not being the exact same parent to every kid. Because you’re not. And that’s okay.
You learn, you unlearn, and you evolve. Some days it’s beautiful and some days it’s a circus.
But all of it?
It counts.
And that’s the evolution of parenting.
It’s the one journey that’ll stretch you to your limit, even crack you wide open some days—and still, you wouldn’t trade a single second of it.
Want more itty-bitty insights to the wild world of parenting?
Subscribe now for more parenting stories, tips, and relatable chaos sent directly to your inbox!
What’s your take? Drop it below!