Your birth order in your family likely had a big impact on your personality and success in life. This “birth order” theory was first proposed by Alfred Adler in the twentieth century. Since then other scientists have agreed and expanded on this theory.

Whenever I write about a family (like The Shannon Sisters), I like to take this theory into account as I develop my characters. But it’s also fun to see how well the theory applies to the people you know, and even your own family. 

The eldest of the Shannon sister, Maureen (book 3, A Hometown Proposal) has many of these typical first born traits and as a first born child myself, I have to claim ownership of these traits as well (especially I am conscientious, cautious and I hate to admit it, controlling):

• Reliable
• Conscientious
• Structured
• Cautious
• Controlling
• Achievers

(They also say that in addition to generally having higher IQ tests and more education, eldest children also tend to earn more than their siblings. This is true for The Shannon Sisters, but not necessarily in my own family situation.) 

Middle children generally have to compete more for their parent’s attention and as a result they generally are: 

• Somewhat rebellious (in order to gain attention)
• Sociable with lots of friends who are very important to them
• Peacemakers

The middle child of my Shannon Sisters trilogy (Kelly, A Convenient Christmas Proposal) definitely has the first (rebellious) and last (peacemaker) of these traits. Which brings us to the last category, the youngest child (Cathleen, A Cowboy’s Proposal). These children don’t typically get a lot of demands from their parents which tends to make them more:

• Fun-loving
• Uncomplicated
• Manipulative
• Extroverted
• Attention-seeking

Coming from a family of five, I definitely see this theory playing out with my own brothers and sisters (though, as the eldest I’m kind of annoyed I didn’t get to be the highest earner. I will not relinquish my inherent claim to highest IQ however without evidence to the contrary). 

Now as my daughter starts a family of her own I’m going to enjoy watching her children develop their personalities and I’m sure, despite all her efforts to treat them the same, they will naturally be impacted by their birth order.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Do you see yourself and your siblings fitting into this theory of birth order? For a chance to win an autographed paperback copy of books 1 and 2 of the Shannon Sisters Trilogy please tell me whether you are an oldest, middle or younger child and which of the associated traits you think fits you best.

USA Today Bestselling author C. J. Carmichael has written over 45 novels in her favorite genres of romance and mystery. She has been nominated twice for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award, as well as RT Bookclub’s Career Achievement in Romantic Suspense award, and the Bookseller’s Best honor.

She gave up the thrills of income tax forms and double entry book-keeping in 1998 when she sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance. Since then she has published over 35 novels with Harlequin and is currently working on a series of western romances with Tule Publishing. In addition C. J. Carmichael has published several cozy mystery series as an Indie author.

When not writing C. J. enjoys family time with her grown daughters and her husband. Family dinners are great. Even better are the times they spend hiking in the Rocky Mountains around their home in Calgary, and relaxing at their cottage on Flathead Lake, Montana.

Visit C.J.’s website at http://CJCarmichael.com