DEAR ABBY: Have you heard of middle child syndrome? You know, when you are the middle child and your parents seem to spoil and love your older and younger siblings but not you? I'm a 16-year-old girl who has this problem.
I have an older brother and younger sister. My parents love and spoil them but not me. Please don't tell me it's my age or because I'm a girl, because this has been going on ever since I can remember. -- MIDDLE CHILD IN HACKENSACK, N.J.
DEAR MIDDLE CHILD: Yes, I have heard of middle child syndrome. And there are cases where the oldest child -- or the baby -- is favored, but it does not happen in every family.
However, I do not think the phenomenon of parents playing favorites is as common as you would like to believe. Each child is loved for different reasons, but all are valued because every child is unique.
Because you feel you have been overlooked, perhaps it's time to turn your frustration into an effort to excel at something. That way, you will find recognition and validation from both your family and from sources outside it.