Austin bears a lot of responsibility. Not only is he named after "the Father of Texas," Stephen F. Austin, the man who started the first white settlement in Texas, but alongside his pa, he bears the burden of keeping the 7-Heart Ranch profitable so his and his brothers' inheritance is secure. He's a no-nonsense man, but he deeply loves his family. He's a kind, honorable, generous person--a man many women would love to marry. Too bad he doesn't have time to find a wife. Sending for a mail-order bride seems his best option for meeting his pa's ultimatum.
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| This is the man I based my image of Austin on |
Austin is pretty typical for being the first-born child. As the leader of the pack, firstborns often tend to be:
Reliable
Conscientious
Structured
Cautious
Controlling
Achievers
Conscientious
Structured
Cautious
Controlling
Achievers
Firstborns bask in their parents' presence, which may explain why they sometimes act like mini-adults. Firstborns are diligent and want to be the best at everything they do.
I'm the firstborn of two girls, and I have to say that most of the traits above are ones that I have to some degree. My sister, who is just 22 months younger than me, has almost the same traits. Needless to say, we've butted heads most of our lives.
How about you? Where do you fall in birth order among your siblings? What would you say are your three main traits?
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is an award-winning author of more than 40 published books and novellas, with
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I'm the oldest of four, and I do bear many of the traits we oldests are known for. I like to think I've mellowed over the years, but my siblings might disagree. Not to worry. If they do, I'll set them straight. :-)
ReplyDelete:) I do think most of us mellow over the years. I think I have some. My sister would probably disagree.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am a middle child. I am the reason my parents had to make so many rules. :)
ReplyDeleteAre you saying they didn't have any rules for you older sibling? :) I'm the oldest, and they definitely made a bunch of rules for me to attempt to follow.
DeleteMy older sister was an angelic child. :) She only colored within the lines. :D
DeleteI was one of the middles, second to youngest. I was the only girl. So I did get my way a lot. However, I think I have several of the traits that you listed for firstborn kids. At least I have been told that I am reliable, structured, cautious and an achiever. I have even been told I am controlling a time or two. :) .
ReplyDeleteHow many brothers did you have, Joy? I was the oldest of two girls aways wished I had an older brother.
DeleteI am a middle and certainly act like one. LOL. As for my oldest daughter I do see many of these traits in her!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see the birth order traits in our kids, isn't it. My oldest son certainly exhibits the main ones.
DeleteI'm the first of 3.. #2 is sister, #3 baby brother.. I've always been reliable, structured and an achiever. Seems like just 4 years difference was a generation change..
ReplyDeleteWere there four years between each of you?
DeleteI am the oldest of three. We are all five years apart. I was like a second mother to my siblings and a partner to my mom. I spoiled my sister so much (my mom still blames me for some of her naughtiness) she in turn spoiled our brother when he came along. I would have to say I'm conscientious, reliable, and somewhat cautious. Always responsible, I've never been extremely structured, I'm more go with the flow. I got married and moved away at 18, my sister then took on a lot of "oldest" traits.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see that your sister adopted traits of the oldest after you left. I didn't see that among my four sons, but then my second son was very quiet. The third son decided early on that he would rather boss than be bossed.
DeleteI am the oldest of 6. The first 4 were born in a 4 year period, there was a break of about5 years then the las two were born 19 months apart. I don't know how my mother did it. I can't imagine trying to handle the first 4.
ReplyDeleteAs for three of my traits, I'd say Reliable Conscientious, and an Achiever.
Thank you for the giveaway.
I am in the middle born… One older sister, one younger brother. I was always pretty self-sufficient, easy-going, and the peacemaker. My sister was the trailblazer, the one in charge, and the reliable one. My little brother could do no wrong, & was the daredevil, but I would say we all managed to come out just fine!
ReplyDeleteI'm the youngest of 2, though with 5 years between us I've heard that's more like a 1st born, lol. I was the reliable, conscientious one.
ReplyDelete