The Puppet Masters of Kids’ Personality
We spend so much time stressing over milestones, matchas, and finding the ‘perfect’ sleep schedule. But what if the most powerful influence you have on your child is the way you write? Or your highly specific morning routine?
The truth is that you are your child’s first and probably the most influential role model. Long after they forget the time you made them wear matching Christmas sweaters, they’ll remember the subtle art of your procrastination techniques.
Nature vs. Nurture
You don’t just pass on your genes. You pass on your quirks. That weird walking style? Yours. The ability to fall asleep mid-sentence? Also yours. But it doesn’t stop there. Your habits, your reactions, your questionable fashion choices. They’re soaking it up. It’s called observational learning, but really, it’s just a masterclass in how to be you.
Kids are emotional sponges. They absorb the vibe of the house like it’s their job (we need a break). If you handle stress by biting your nails, don’t be surprised when your kid thinks nails are comfort food. Show them how to laugh through chaos. Or at least how to find the remote without launching a full-scale search party.
Your routines are their blueprint. Love gardening? They’ll probably dig dirt too. Leave half-full mugs of tea around the house? They’ll do the same. Bad behavior, by the way.
Curious parents raise curious kids. Competitive parents raise? Well, kids who think dusting is a sport.
Language is legacy. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. That weird phrase you use when you’re mildly shocked? It stays with them forever. Like, I remember a time I heard my mom respond to something in a particularly weird way. I liked it and I picked it up.
Choose your words wisely. Or prepare to hear them shouting profanity in public.
The Silver Lining
The good news? It’s not about being perfect. It never is. It’s about being authentic. Your attempts at perfection are probably more stressful for them than your failures.
The influence you have is a wonderful mess of inherited traits and modeled behaviour. So, the next time your kid says loudly to a stranger, “My dad says men in shorts should be arrested,” just smile. You created that beautifully opinionated and (side-eye) judgmental little person.
Don’t be afraid to look in the mirror, even if the reflection is currently judging the shape of you.
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