{"id":431953,"date":"2026-01-14T07:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T06:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=431953"},"modified":"2026-01-14T04:57:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T03:57:26","slug":"fratrie-membre-qui-epuise-le-plus-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/siblings-members-who-exhaust-the-parents-the-most-431953","title":{"rendered":"Within a family, this member could well be the one who exhausts the parents the most."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In a family, each child brings their own set of challenges, but it seems that being the youngest is the most demanding for parents. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dovepress.com\/birth-order-and-chinese-adolescent-mental-health-within-the-context-of-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PRBM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">several studies in developmental psychology<\/a> , the last-born child possesses characteristics that place a greater strain on parental patience, energy, and emotional resources.<\/p>\n<h2> Autonomy acquired later in life<\/h2>\n<p> The youngest child grows up in an environment where their older siblings are already independent. They often benefit from extended support in their learning: toilet training, meals, dressing, etc. For parents, however, this means starting a cycle they&#39;ve already gone through, sometimes with considerable fatigue. This fresh start increases the mental load, especially since expectations of themselves remain high.<\/p>\n<h2> More frequent emotional storms<\/h2>\n<p> Less supervised than their older siblings, the youngest child often expresses their emotions more intensely. Tantrums, tears, frustrations: studies show that these episodes tend to last longer than in older children. Parents must constantly intervene to regulate, comfort, and redirect, which leads to long-term psychological strain.<\/p>\n<h2> Sustained attention is difficult to maintain<\/h2>\n<p> While parents can relax their vigilance somewhat with older children who have become more independent, the youngest child once again requires constant attention. This need to be constantly engaged, after several already intense years, creates a feeling of regression that weighs heavily on daily family life.<\/p>\n<h2> A permissive dynamic that is a source of tension<\/h2>\n<p> With the youngest child, the rules sometimes seem more relaxed. Whether out of weariness or special affection, parents may adopt a more tolerant attitude. However, this relative &quot;laxity&quot; creates dilemmas: is it really necessary to intervene? Is it unfair to the older siblings? These questions generate guilt and sometimes tension among the siblings.<\/p>\n<h2> Why older people seem &quot;easier&quot;<\/h2>\n<p> The first child generally benefits from parents who are well-rested, available, and often very involved. Subsequent children grow up in a dynamic of sharing, a mix of rivalry and closeness. The youngest child, however, often arrives at a time when parental energy is waning. The combination of their position in the family and the strained family environment exacerbates the difficulties they experience.<\/p>\n<p>In short, while each child presents their own challenges, the youngest seems to occupy a special place in the family dynamic. Understanding these mechanisms not only allows for a better grasp of daily difficulties but also highlights the importance of tailored support, ensuring that siblings remain a place of growth and close bonds, despite the challenges inherent in each child&#39;s position.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In a family, each child brings their own set of challenges, but it seems that being the youngest...","protected":false},"author":8392,"featured_media":431963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6139],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-431953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-vie-de-maman"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Anh-Khac-_-Pexels-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Anh-Khac-_-Pexels-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Anh-Khac-_-Pexels.jpg","author":{"name":"Tatiana Richard","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Tatiania-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":6139,"name":"Parenting","slug":"vie-de-maman","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6311,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Parenting section of The Body Optimist supports moms, dads and every kind of family through everyday life with kids: raising children, emotions, school, relationships and the mental load. Advice from child development professionals, explainers and personal stories approach parenting without guilt, whatever your family looks like.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Parenting section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Raising kids<\/strong>: teaching children to share, setting limits without yelling, praising effort over intelligence, with ideas drawn from positive parenting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>School and bullying<\/strong>: helping your child feel good at school, spotting the signs of bullying and knowing how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Postpartum for both parents<\/strong>: your body after birth, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/sleep-deprivation-fatigue-loneliness-the-reality-of-young-mothers-433661\">exhaustion and loneliness of new mothers<\/a>, and postpartum depression in fathers, still too little known.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All kinds of families<\/strong>: single-parent, blended and same-sex parent families, parents with disabilities, with more stories in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Family relationships<\/strong>: your bond with your own parents, toxic families, overbearing grandparents, sibling rivalry.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Life choices<\/strong>: wanting children, or not, discussed without judgment or social pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you set limits for your child without yelling?<\/h2>\n<p>Setting boundaries without yelling relies on clarity and consistency more than strictness. Keep instructions short and positive (\u201cwe walk in the hallway\u201d rather than \u201cdon\u2019t run\u201d), get down to your child\u2019s eye level and look at them. Announce transitions ahead of time to head off meltdowns when an activity ends. Name your child\u2019s feeling without giving in on the rule: \u201cYou\u2019re angry because the screen is turning off. I get it, and it\u2019s bath time.\u201d When tension rises, stepping out of the room for a few seconds beats raising your voice. Some parents even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/giving-orders-to-a-singing-child-an-unusual-trick-to-avoid-shouting-428727\">sing their instructions<\/a> to keep things light. No parent is perfect: apologizing after you lose your temper also teaches your child how to repair a relationship.<\/p>\n<h2>Our take on parenting<\/h2>\n<p>Parenting doesn\u2019t rest on mothers alone: we also talk about dads, co-parents, blended, single-parent and LGBTQ+ families, and people who choose not to have children. There\u2019s no single model or \u201cperfect mom\u201d here: our articles share guidance without making anyone feel guilty. For any concern about a child\u2019s health or development, your pediatrician, family doctor or a child psychologist remains the best person to ask.<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/top-phrases-help-children-express-emotions-444372\">What to say instead of \u201cstop crying\u201d<\/a>: five phrases that help children express their emotions.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/monster-under-the-bed-really-means-childhood-fear-428271\">The monster under the bed<\/a>: what this classic childhood fear really means and how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/eldest-daughter-syndrome-confirmed-by-science-study-reigniting-debate-430888\">Eldest daughter syndrome<\/a>: what research says about the responsibilities often placed on firstborn girls.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/be-a-mother-but-stay-slim-she-breaks-the-silence-pressure-weighs-on-young-mothers-432933\">The pressure to \u201cbounce back\u201d after birth<\/a>: one mother speaks out against the demand to stay thin.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/you-post-pictures-of-children-on-social-media-heres-something-you-probably-dont-know-428755\">Posting photos of your kids online<\/a>: what to know before you share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Can fathers get postpartum depression?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Some fathers go through sadness, irritability or anxiety after a baby arrives, sometimes called the \u201cdaddy blues.\u201d When these symptoms last for several weeks, it may be paternal postpartum depression, a condition recognized by health professionals. Intense fatigue, feeling useless or withdrawing from others are warning signs: talking to a doctor is the first step toward getting support.<\/p>\n<h3>What is positive parenting?<\/h3>\n<p>Positive parenting, close to what is often called gentle parenting, guides children through listening, explanation and encouragement rather than punishment, yelling or humiliation. It isn\u2019t the same as being permissive: rules still exist, but they\u2019re set with respect. A growing number of countries have also banned corporal punishment of children, spanking included.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you tell if your child is being bullied at school?<\/h3>\n<p>Several signs can raise concern: refusing to go to school, repeated stomachaches or headaches in the morning, slipping grades, damaged or missing belongings, isolation, trouble sleeping, mood changes after using their phone. Start the conversation calmly, without dramatizing, then contact the school. Many countries also have helplines dedicated to bullying and cyberbullying.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a> on emotions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> to find your footing again after a baby arrives, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\">Body positive<\/a> to see your body with kindness, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sante\/grossesse\">Pregnancy<\/a> for the months before birth.<\/p>","parent":6138,"count":705,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6139,"category_count":705,"category_description":"<p>The Parenting section of The Body Optimist supports moms, dads and every kind of family through everyday life with kids: raising children, emotions, school, relationships and the mental load. Advice from child development professionals, explainers and personal stories approach parenting without guilt, whatever your family looks like.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Parenting section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Raising kids<\/strong>: teaching children to share, setting limits without yelling, praising effort over intelligence, with ideas drawn from positive parenting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>School and bullying<\/strong>: helping your child feel good at school, spotting the signs of bullying and knowing how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Postpartum for both parents<\/strong>: your body after birth, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/sleep-deprivation-fatigue-loneliness-the-reality-of-young-mothers-433661\">exhaustion and loneliness of new mothers<\/a>, and postpartum depression in fathers, still too little known.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All kinds of families<\/strong>: single-parent, blended and same-sex parent families, parents with disabilities, with more stories in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Family relationships<\/strong>: your bond with your own parents, toxic families, overbearing grandparents, sibling rivalry.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Life choices<\/strong>: wanting children, or not, discussed without judgment or social pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you set limits for your child without yelling?<\/h2>\n<p>Setting boundaries without yelling relies on clarity and consistency more than strictness. Keep instructions short and positive (\u201cwe walk in the hallway\u201d rather than \u201cdon\u2019t run\u201d), get down to your child\u2019s eye level and look at them. Announce transitions ahead of time to head off meltdowns when an activity ends. Name your child\u2019s feeling without giving in on the rule: \u201cYou\u2019re angry because the screen is turning off. I get it, and it\u2019s bath time.\u201d When tension rises, stepping out of the room for a few seconds beats raising your voice. Some parents even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/giving-orders-to-a-singing-child-an-unusual-trick-to-avoid-shouting-428727\">sing their instructions<\/a> to keep things light. No parent is perfect: apologizing after you lose your temper also teaches your child how to repair a relationship.<\/p>\n<h2>Our take on parenting<\/h2>\n<p>Parenting doesn\u2019t rest on mothers alone: we also talk about dads, co-parents, blended, single-parent and LGBTQ+ families, and people who choose not to have children. There\u2019s no single model or \u201cperfect mom\u201d here: our articles share guidance without making anyone feel guilty. For any concern about a child\u2019s health or development, your pediatrician, family doctor or a child psychologist remains the best person to ask.<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/top-phrases-help-children-express-emotions-444372\">What to say instead of \u201cstop crying\u201d<\/a>: five phrases that help children express their emotions.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/monster-under-the-bed-really-means-childhood-fear-428271\">The monster under the bed<\/a>: what this classic childhood fear really means and how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/eldest-daughter-syndrome-confirmed-by-science-study-reigniting-debate-430888\">Eldest daughter syndrome<\/a>: what research says about the responsibilities often placed on firstborn girls.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/be-a-mother-but-stay-slim-she-breaks-the-silence-pressure-weighs-on-young-mothers-432933\">The pressure to \u201cbounce back\u201d after birth<\/a>: one mother speaks out against the demand to stay thin.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/you-post-pictures-of-children-on-social-media-heres-something-you-probably-dont-know-428755\">Posting photos of your kids online<\/a>: what to know before you share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Can fathers get postpartum depression?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Some fathers go through sadness, irritability or anxiety after a baby arrives, sometimes called the \u201cdaddy blues.\u201d When these symptoms last for several weeks, it may be paternal postpartum depression, a condition recognized by health professionals. Intense fatigue, feeling useless or withdrawing from others are warning signs: talking to a doctor is the first step toward getting support.<\/p>\n<h3>What is positive parenting?<\/h3>\n<p>Positive parenting, close to what is often called gentle parenting, guides children through listening, explanation and encouragement rather than punishment, yelling or humiliation. It isn\u2019t the same as being permissive: rules still exist, but they\u2019re set with respect. A growing number of countries have also banned corporal punishment of children, spanking included.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you tell if your child is being bullied at school?<\/h3>\n<p>Several signs can raise concern: refusing to go to school, repeated stomachaches or headaches in the morning, slipping grades, damaged or missing belongings, isolation, trouble sleeping, mood changes after using their phone. Start the conversation calmly, without dramatizing, then contact the school. Many countries also have helplines dedicated to bullying and cyberbullying.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a> on emotions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> to find your footing again after a baby arrives, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\">Body positive<\/a> to see your body with kindness, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sante\/grossesse\">Pregnancy<\/a> for the months before birth.<\/p>","cat_name":"Parenting","category_nicename":"vie-de-maman","category_parent":6138}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8392"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=431953"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431953\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":432480,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431953\/revisions\/432480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/431963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=431953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=431953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=431953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}