Did you accurately predict your child's personality?

[eeekwtf]

I always assumed my child would be quiet, maybe a bit too sensible and have difficulty socialising with other children, because that's how he's always been up until recently. However, after starting school, it's become apparent that he's actually a complete chatterbox and very, 'spirited', let's say. He's not turning out to be the child I thought he was. I'm pleased in many respects, but utterly surprised. I'm thinking his quiet character was just a phase. Or maybe this is?

So how accurate were your own predictions? Did your child turn out the way you thought they would? At what age did their true long-term character start to show?

Not at all! I’d expected an avid reader, DH and I both read a lot- dyslexia put paid to that (although he enjoys audiobooks and does read for pleasure a little). Perhaps musical or keen on music- nope, barely at all. I’m a couch potato (I need to force myself to do a little gentle exercise), he trains for 10 hours a week and competes at national level.

Oh that's interesting. Maybe it's just not possible to predict how they'll turn out. But you would have thought children would be fairly similar to their parents.

Not at all! DS loathes any sort of country pursuit, is indifferent to dogs and relishes nothing more than a trip out to breakfast or a coffee shop. He is musical (much to my astonishment) and a somewhat gifted actor (ditto my astonishment) He used to be a terribly anxious child but has flourished into a confident and articulate young man with a sense of worth and purpose that I find utterly incredible, given that he has DH and I as parents