| There are certain schools of thought that state a | | | | broken and turned to anyone over three feet tall for |
| child's personality is half nature and half nurture. | | | | help. My son however, furrowed his brow just like his |
| Certainly the quality of parenting in regards to direction, | | | | dad and announced his distaste in broken English, |
| discipline and affection make a massive difference in | | | | "People NOT take trains from people" His reedy voice |
| the type of adult they will one day be. But there is a | | | | filled the play area. The children stopped and I heard |
| great deal to be said about the type of personality | | | | myself responding. |
| your child comes with when it enters this world. I had | | | | "Its o.k. honey," I said with an awkward smile, |
| read about these theories while attending a university, | | | | "Everyone is sharing, right??" |
| but it wasn't until I had my own children that I truly | | | | I was openly proud of him. My child was a champion |
| understood the concept of 'nature'. | | | | of the less fortunate. My child was a savior to those in |
| We have no control or choice when it comes to the | | | | need. Obviously I had done something right. Two |
| little person delivered into our arms at the hospital. We | | | | weeks later, however, my tiny soldier was the one |
| look into their squinty little eyes and wonder just who is | | | | grabbing trains out of other's hands and instead of |
| hiding inside there. When all the gas-bubble fussing and | | | | feeling pride, I was offering my apologies to both |
| nursing struggles are gone, what slowly exposes itself | | | | parents and children alike. |
| over time is a tiny individual hard wired with likes and | | | | How much of his behavior was something he learned |
| dislikes they express with equal intensity. How intense, | | | | at home and how much was he born with? I believe |
| you ask?? Obviously each child is different. Some of | | | | that like all of us, his character is built of opposites. |
| them might react to a toy taken away with a lost little | | | | Depending on the day he can be miserable and |
| whisper and others may turn red and clench their | | | | manipulative or a model citizen. Instead of judging him |
| entire bodies in rage. Being a parent, you tend to | | | | based on whatever complicated stage of |
| wonder or assume that all children are the same but it | | | | development he's going through, I try to look at the |
| isn't until you see your child begin to socialize that you | | | | overall theme of his nature. Sometimes I despair of it |
| realize just how different they really are. | | | | when I see that it all boils down to a world beating but |
| The first time I took my little boy to a playgroup it was | | | | exhausting intensity. Despair because I know how |
| an interesting shock. Standing around a set of Thomas | | | | much nurturing it's going to take us to funnel it into |
| Trains in the local library, I watched the three little boys | | | | positive channels. However, other times I'm delighted to |
| stage their own social microcosm. My little man, who | | | | know that he'll go through all the same glorious highs |
| had always expressed himself with a particular brand | | | | and lows that his Dad and I have experienced in our |
| of sensitive intensity was suddenly both commanding | | | | lives. One thing I know for certain however -- don't |
| other children and swallowed up at the same time. | | | | envy or scorn other people's children. A few minutes in |
| One boy, standing on sturdy feet with a tightly shaven | | | | the future, the little monster pulling hair in the playground |
| head was quick to grab the trains he wanted out of | | | | or taking others Thomas Trains could be yours... |
| the other's hands. Another little one immediately looked | | | | |