The Firstborn Advantage: Making Your Birth Order Work for You

By Kevin Leman

Book Overview

You're driven. You have big plans and dreams. You demand a lot out of yourself, and it pays off. As a natural mover and shaker of the world, you were at the top of your class. You're the benchmark setter and the award winner, you've always done what's expected of you-and yes, you're the one who got in trouble for what your younger sibling did. Being firstborn comes with a high price sometimes, doesn't it? And no one is harder on you than you. But here's a news flash: it doesn't have to be that way. You can learn to use your firstborn skills to your best advantage in every area of life. And you'll still end up as the high achiever you were born to be. Guaranteed. Book jacket.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800719115
• ISBN13: 9780800719111
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Revell
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

A great resource for anyone interested in how birth order affects their friends, family or workplace

What's your birth order? Were you a firstborn, middle child or the baby of the family? Were you an only child? No matter what your birth order, odds are that it's affecting you more than you realize. In THE FIRSTBORN ADVANTAGE, bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman helps firstborns make the very most of their birth order. Here's the fascinating twist in Leman's assessment: birth order not only deals with the ordinal position of a child but also his or her functional birth position. This means that even if you aren't the oldest in a family, you still may have firstborn tendencies that affect your outlook and approach to life. Leman points to a variety of variables that play into birth order. For example, if you're from a large family, it's not just the oldest who is a firstborn; there are others with firstborn tendencies. The reasoning is that in a large family of six or eight or more children, the family divides down into subunits. So among the three or four youngest children, one may assume the role as the oldest. In addition, gender can play a role in firstborn tendencies. Leman writes: "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that if there are four boys and one girl in your family, there's something unique about one of your kids." He points out that both the oldest male and female could have firstborn traits. An age gap of five or more years can also create firstborn traits in a non-firstborn. Other factors that can influence these traits are blended families and significant mental or physical differences among children. Why is this so important? Because even if you're not a firstborn, you may have firstborn traits. If so, this book is for you! In an easy-to-read manner, Leman takes a good look at the firstborn personality. He notes that firstborns are natural achievers, task-oriented and ready to get things done. But all that drivenness can have a downside as it affects a firstborn's ability to build and maintain healthy relationships. Another struggle is criticism and becoming a flaw picker. Leman offers practical tips and advice on how to turn these weaknesses into strengths. In addition, he encourages firstborns to use their natural abilities in school and at work to their advantage. One of the best features of the book is that Leman writes as if he's really for --- not against --- the firstborns. He writes with a hope and enthusiasm for firstborns and gives them practical tools on how to get the most out of life. Throughout, he draws on insights from the First Born Girls Social Club and its founder, Laura Carter, as well as stories of firstborns. Overall, this is a great resource for anyone interested in how birth order affects their friends, family or workplace. Though you may not be a firstborn birth, you may be one by the function in your family, which makes THE FIRSTBORN ADVANTAGE a valuable resource for readers of all ages and birth orders. --- Reviewed by Margaret Oines

I am a firstborn....

This was a great book; easy to read and definitely explained a few things about why I am the way I am. I plan to go back a re-read it highlighting passages. Yes, it's that good. My next step is to read the Birth Order Book, same author.

First Born Advantage

Really good down to earth information on First Borns. What to do about being FB and what not to do. How to relate to other siblings and why.

Now I get it!

I'm married to a super first born who always had me wondering about why he does what he does. After reading this book, I have a better understanding about him and how he operates. I see things differently now, after gaining more insight into what makes him so organized & business-like. I appreciated this book for what it offered me. Although I am the middle child in my family, I bought this book to help me understand my spouse and it really did. Great read. Funny. Insightful.

A Great Read

I have heard Dr. Leman on numerous occasions on the radio, and after one such interview I decided to purchase a copy of his latest book The First Born Advantage. This book is an easy and great read. It will offer you insight as to the weaknesses and strengths of being a first born child. It will encourage you and make you think, and most importantly, notice the people around you who are first born. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.