Why must my children confuse me so?
Just when my wife and I thought we had this parenting thing down we decided to have #2. And with that decision all the rules apparently changed.
A few examples:
#1 LOVES art and drawing (always within the lines). We have to bribe #2 to scribble on a piece of paper
#1 is generally careful and gentle with all his toys (most were re-used for #2). #2 destroys everything he touches within minutes of finding it (books, toys, blinds, furniture)
#1 is a thinker, an analyst. #2 prefers action without thought.
#2 is frighteningly athletic. #1 has a few coordination issues.....
#1 never needed punishment; reasoning always worked instead of time outs. We've tried just about everything, but still don't know how to deal with #2....
#1 is the pickiest eater on the face of the Earth. #2 will eat anything (as long as it's not green)
#1 loves fruits and veggies;protein is a bit more challenging. Reverse for #2
#1 likes to sleep with the door open. #2 likes it closed.
Sigh... the screaming in the background tells me I should go check to see what's going on in the other room. Yup. This is why we react with horror when people ask if we have a #3 - 2 is definitely enough. :)
That sounds pretty common. My little sister took her destructive athletic tendencies and decided to become a mechanical engineer when she grew up.
ReplyDeleteI've heard other people say the same thing, but it amazes me to see it in action. And it does make me wonder a bit about the nature/nurture debate. I'll just have to wait and see where they both end up...
DeleteSounds about right. My brother and I are complete opposites. He's the athlete (who took apart my keyboard and radio!) and is now a personal trainer. I do crafts, writing, and teach. I'm more social than him, and we strongly differ in our food preferences.
ReplyDeleteRe: punishments...when dad made the punishment be "you must be nice to each other for a week" (and set rules for what that meant), we learned to behave, or at least not tell when we fought!
Interesting idea on punishment. I think my youngest isn't mature enough to understand all that (<3), but we may start moving in that direction.
Deleteditto above, my sister and I are quite unalike in temperament.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... This may be the best part of parenting - watching to see how they develop as people and members of society. Of course, this may also be the most nerve-wracking part of being a parent, especially as my boys get older and their problems get bigger....
DeleteOur two girls aren't old enough for me to tell how different or similar they will become (2.5 yrs and 7 months). So far, they are pretty similar in the way that they have grown. Although, #2 seems to be a little more laid back than #1.
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