I’ve mentioned before that I come from a large family. How large? I’m one of nine siblings. Five male, four female. In three groups.

I am the oldest daughter, and the middle child of the first group.  We have kids born in the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, and 1980s. My youngest sibling is just two months older than Web Dom.

There are whole, half, and step siblings in my family, but none of us use the modifier when describing the others. We all get along, there are no factions. One sister died as an infant; one brother died at 43. The rest of us persist.

It’s really a pretty typical 19th century family structure…except my Mom just died a few years ago, and not in childbirth at age 30. My parents, though divorced, continued to get along very well, which was good since they worked at the same place and lived about ten miles apart in a very rural area. It would have been impossible to avoid each other. My Mom undertook fund raising for my step-brother’s medical bills when he was dying.  My step- and half-brothers helped my Mom with various “guy” projects. Mom was a guest at Dad’s new home for Thanksgiving on the occasions her side of the family wasn’t gathering.

I’ve never really believed in the birth order stuff (make sure you read the section about sexual orientation). However, I will say that the “baby” of each group of siblings is very much like the stereotype. I, of course, am nothing like a middle child.

Also, birth order has absolutely nothing to do with the success of romantic relationships. Most of my relationships have been with oldest male children. A couple of my husbands were middle children. The marriage that was is the best match was is with an oldest child.

Tonight’s questions:

  1. Do you have siblings? (Side note: progressives are the only children of the political world.)
  2. If so, where are you in the birth order?
  3. How many sisters and how many brothers do you have?
  4. Do you get along with your siblings?
  5. Do you have a particularly strong bond with one sibling?
  6. Do you think birth order has had an impact on your personality and life?
  7. Have you had any inappropriate sexual contact with any of your siblings?
  8. Do you have photos?

Discuss!