Officially 3, second edition

Funny thing about a second child… they are somehow always the odd one out! I don’t know how this happens but it seems like every time the other 2 are sleeping, this one is awake… while the other 2 are on either side of me, this one is on his own… while the other 2 manage to always get their way (especially the spoilt little baby), this one is forced to just go along with everything.

But still, even though he knows that he’s being treated unfairly, he’s the one with the most empathy.

Maybe now he is getting a little more possessive of his things, but if asked nicely, he will happily give up any of his toys to his brothers. He may be a tad bit more insolent than his brothers, but most of the time, he’ll lovingly oblige with “ok, I will”, in his really cute 3-year-old-manner-of-speaking.

This daddy’s boy is surely turning into a mama’s boy… reassuring me with his “I like you mommy”, almost all day long… I am sure he forces himself not to fall asleep at naptime so he can spend some alone time with me!

His personality is so much like mine, it’s almost scary! And I would like to believe it’s the reason he’s my husband’s favorite! Did I say favorite? I meant he’s the one that my husband thinks is capable of no wrong, and who should not ever be punished because everything he does is ‘sooooo cute!’

It’s amazing to me how much compassion he has in that tiny body… he will stop everything he’s doing to attend to his little brother when he cries… he will quickly forgive his older brother and even defend him, if we threaten disciplinary action… even if he was complaining about said brother 1 second earlier!

I love how he’s 3 now, and starting school soon, because he really wants to be a ‘big boy’, but I miss the baby, I do regret not having spent as much time with him as I did with the first one, I feel like when he’s needy and really demanding, it’s my fault for not giving him more attention, but I hope he’ll forgive me.

He’s a pretty awesome little 3 year old!

Thoughts from Robyn

Oh, Shaz, you hit on how I feel about my daughter. I feel that the reason she’s so whiny must be because I can’t devote as much time to her and I really want to. Of course, I have the two, not three, but whatever. :0) I, too, hope she understands and still feels loved. 3 is awesome – mine turns 3 in July. It feels like we’re on the cusp of something big, good. Enjoy it!

Thoughts from Mona

such a beautiful post shazia. he’s a special little boy allright. hope he has a wonderful birthday – lots of love and du’as to him!

Thoughts from Em

Salaam.

Aww… happy birthday to mousehunter jr.  Insha Allah he’ll surpass his parents and become even more compassionate and caring — and get to convince the world of the benefits of his qualities, too.

Thoughts from Maliha

Salamaat,

Coming from another middle child, all I can say I relate sniff

For that alone, he is my favorite too

Thoughts from Tasmiya

Shaz, he is positively perfect!

Thoughts from iMuslim

Salaams Shaz,

Cute kid, mashallah!

Random thought: I wonder how your kiddies will react when/if they read your blog posts about them, in the future? Especially ones where you mention feeling guilty about not doing certain things for them. I pray that they sympathize, and say something like, “Aww, you did a good job, mum, don’t worry!”.

Still, it will be an interesting phenomenon for some psychologist somewhere to record: The effects of blogging on children. Or something…

Wa’salam

Thoughts from shaz

Robyn, it is a struggle trying to balance and be fair to kids huh?!

thanks Mona, Em and Tasmiya!

Maliha… my sister feels your pain too!

iMuslim, very interesting, I wonder that myself. I hope that it helps then to appreciate what we experienced as parents.

Thoughts from Yolanda

What a sweet post- Happy Birthday to your little guy!

Thoughts from Faryal

Awww.. ma’shallah he’s so cute. Mine will be 3 in Aug. Sounds so much like him. Too bad we’re so far away, would’ve been a nice playdate

Thoughts from sf

Mashallah. I am a first child so I wouldn’t understand the middle child syndrome. Though I find that first kids tend to be more sensitive, more maternal(females) and we get the you’re older,give it to your youngers sibling(s). May all of them grow up to be more loving and have a lasting relationship,ameen.

Thoughts from Nowal

don’t let him get insecure though. and when he says, “naw, i don’t think i want to try out for the baseball team”...he actually does but he’s <span class="caps">VERY</span> scared that he’ll fail and hence writes it off as nonchalance.

happy birthday baby!

Thoughts from JJ

well, as an avid believer in birth order, i think this one is doing an excellent job exhibiting older child traits which is great. hopefully, if he gets one on one time with you and mousehunter he may be spared of the typical middle child angst.

if i have another, my lil Jarrod too will be a middle child and i’m not sure how i will handle it.

i feel your pain on denying him the same attention as the older one. i’m guilty of it too and i think most parents are.

but he is so sweet and reminds me of my Caleb who always says i love you mommy. so sweet.

your family reminds me of mine so much!

Thoughts from Asiya

Shaz, I don’t know how I missed this post, too busy going to the weight loss challenge I guess

InshaAllah he had a happy b’day!

Thoughts from shaz

Thanks Yolanda!

Faryal, I sooo wish I could have playdates!

sf, I’m the first one too!

thanks for the advice dr. Nowal!

JJ, I know!! I read your posts and think it’s so similar! thanks for your words

thanks Asiya!