Raymond in the Middle

Back in the early 2000's there was sitcom on TV called #MalcolmInTheMiddle. The show followed Malcolm, a gifted young teen, while he tries to survive life with his dysfunctional family. Although I wasn't necessary a fan of the show, I did watch it a few times and I have to say that almost every time I found myself thinking, "sheesh, it must really suck to be the middle child."Never being quite old enough to do what you want like your eldest sibling but then also being just old enough to care after your younger sibling. In my case, I am my mothers only child and my father's only daughter and second eldest so I could never relate to the middle child experience. But now, as a mother, I actually have a middle child and recently I found myself wondering if he too has the wild middle child experiences that I witnessed on the show. Here's what my middle child, Raymond, had to say about his experiences.

Me: Okay Raymond, so I am going to start the interview off with some simple questions. Things I should probably already know about you but I have to admit that I don't and then we'll start talking about some deeper things. Cool?

Raymond: (awkwardly) I guess...

Me: What’s your favorite color?

Raymond: Maroon.

Me: Maroon? Really? I thought it was red.

Raymond: Nah, red is kinda cringe honestly.

Me: What? Why?

Raymond: It just is.

Me: Ummm...okay. What’s your favorite food?

Raymond: Crab legs.

Me: Crab legs? I thought it was teriyaki chicken.

Raymond: That was mad long ago, ma.

Me: Oh okay. My bad. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Raymond: Ummmm... I don't know. I honestly don't care as long as I'm making money. I might start a clothing brand though. But not yet because I don't have the money to put into it.

Me: Oh okay, that's pretty cool, I guess. Do you want to get married and have kids in the future and if so, how many?

Raymond: (makes a weird face) Married, maybe. But not until like 30-35. I think I want like 2 kids but I'm also fine with just one.

Me: (jokingly) One and done is the way to go I hear. What’s one word you would use to describe what it’s like being the middle child?

Raymond: Uhhhhh.... a word that basically means like not needed or like unnecessary.

Me: You don't feel like we need you in this house?

Raymond: No, not really. But I prefer it that way. I like to be left alone.

Me: Yes, we know but I still kinda hate that you feel that way...(silent pause) What’s one word you would use to describe your older sister? And be nice!

Raymond: (Laughs) What's that thing where you're nice one minute and mean the next?

Me: Bipolar?

Raymond: Yeah, that! She's Bipolar, for sure!

Me: (Laughing) You might be right about that! What’s one word you would use to describe your little brother?

Raymond: Energetic.

Me: Do you like being a big brother? Why or why not?

Raymond: Yeah, it's fun. Kyky is basically my son.

Me: No he is not! But do you feel like having a younger sibling has taken away from your freedom at all? If so, how?

Raymond: Yeah, but only because sometimes you might ask me to watch him when I could be doing other things like hanging out with my friends. But honestly Kyky is super cool so I really don't mind it.

Me: I hope you know I try to be conscious about how much I lean on you to watch him.

Raymond: Yeah, I know. It's okay.

Me: Okay. Just making sure. What’s one thing you like and one thing you hate about being the middle child?

Raymond: Like, I feel like it's made me well rounded. Hate, the difference in my roles. One minute I'm old enough to watch Kyky, the next minute I'm too young to walk to DQ by myself. I hate how you guys do that.

Me: Two very different things but thats a conversation for another time. Do you feel like either of your siblings receives favoritism or special treatment? If so, how does that make you feel?

Raymond: I use to think Yoni was your favorite but now I don't care. I like being left alone and not having the attention on me. Plus, I don't really relate to you like she does so...

Me: I promise Yoni is not my favorite. Jodie is. Anywho, do you feel like you’re often compared to either of your siblings? If so, in what ways and how does that make you feel?

Raymond: Yeah, Ayoni. Especially with school stuff which I hate because I'm nothing like her. Not in the grade department or the behavior department.

Me: Very true. Do you feel like you had to learn to be independent or fend for yourself since you’re in the middle?

Raymond: Yeah, but only because I never want to go anywhere with you guys so in order to be able to stay home by myself I had to learn to be able to take care of myself.

Me: Do you feel like people in our household tend to “forget” about you? If so, how does that make you feel?

Raymond: I use to feel that way but now I don't care. I prefer to stay in my room anyways. And when I do come out nothing good ever comes out of it anyways.

Me: What's that supposed to mean?!

Raymond: You and Yoni annoy me.

Me: Oh. Well that's not very nice. Last question meanie. What’s one thing you would like everyone to know about you that sets you apart from your siblings?

Raymond: That sets me apart, I don't know.

Me: Okay, well, what's something that you'd want people to know about you that you think they wouldn't know?

Raymond: Ummmm.....even though I don't like a lot of attention I do like public speaking.

Me: Really? Well, that definitely sets you apart because nobody in this house like public speaking. Thank you for sharing that fun fact and for answering all my questions.

Raymond: Cool. Can I go in my room now?

All of this was very much typical Raymond behavior and everybody loves Raymond, right? I have to admit it is nice to have at least one child who is "easy" and pretty much carefree. I am not sure if that stems from him being the middle child or it's just in his nature. But what I do know is that I truly do cherish the rare one on one time that I do spend with Raymond and I value how much of an amazing big brother he is. He is definitely one of a kind and I cannot wait to see the man that he grows up to be.