Looking back, was your child's personality obvious when they were a baby?

[missesschmisses]

DS is 15mo, I often wonder whether his little quirks now will go on to be his personality, and one day I'll look back and say 'oh yes you did always want your own way, even as a toddler!' Or whether he is just very much a typical toddler.

He seems very cheeky, loves performing for the crowds with loud fake laughs, throws EVERYTHING really well (future shot putter ) and can be very impatient. Also so lovely and cuddly and warm and affectionate.

Can you look back in your children as little ones and see their personalities?

With Dd yes!
She was an uptight, dramatic, highly-string baby, and she’s exactly the same now at 3.5.
In her eyes, the world is coming to an end when the slightest inconvenience occurs

Omg yes! DS now 4 was a challenging baby and toddler as always needed a lot of stimulation and attention. He’s the same now but with a brain the size of a planet, he’s just always on the go and learning. Didn’t want to play with toys as a baby and doesn’t want to play with toys now! V tiring child (but fun). My 15 month old girl seems quite chilled but has flashes of temper and screeching, not sure whether it’s normal toddler stuff or we’ve got trouble ahead! One of my nephews was always grumpy and peevish as a preschooler and he’s only just come out of it now he’s a teenager (and probably socialised to behave better).

Totally.

DC1 - thoughtful, dreamy, easily amused, away with the fairies
DC2 - bad-tempered but very funny

Both stubborn as fuck.

Yes, definitely. Both in their 40's now. First was very independent, pretending he didn't need my support, active yet a bit lazy, reluctant to take advice or help, very sure of his own identity.
He now owns his own business, self taught, believes in himself, lets others opinions go over his head. Motivated, and hardworking, happy enough with his life. Gets concerned if anything is upsetting me despite his hard man exterior!

Second son, contented and laid back, self sufficient and focussed. Fair minded, able to deal with anything unpleasant but not afraid to state his feelings and ask for help/advice.

Now in a responsible role in the police force. Dedicated to helping victims, able to deal with circumstances he has to deal with by being philosophical. Very steady at home, caring husband, father and son. But has a lot of time for himself to look after himself so he can be there for others. Not easily worked up.

My 7 year old was always moving as a baby, started rolling/crawling etc early and is still really active and struggles staying still. She loves PE, dance and gymnastics.

My 3 year old was always really chilled as a baby and is suddenly a lot more demanding so not sure if this is a 3 year old thing or a sign of things to come.

Yes, since the womb!
Ds1 is 3 and during pregnancy had no clear daily pattern of movement. Bursts of random kicking, mixed with tentative swooshing movements. Was most intriguing. He's now cerebral, soft-hearted, earnest and enthusiastic. Impatient, wary. Def an introvert. Was a tough baby and hardly napped.

Ds2 just turned 10 months and was having a party in utero. Like he was bouncing off the walls - I had to pause conversations. Clear daily pattern. He's a sunny, social baby and easy to look after. Physically strong, cheeky and not easily daunted. Going to be a very different guy.

On DD's second night on this Earth, I asked the midwives to look after her as I was feeling very sore and tired from the EMCS. The look of contempt she gave me when the midwife brought her back in the morning is the same one she gives me now when she's cross or in a mood with me and she's 19.

DS in bucketfuls. DS was born flat, resuscitated, taken off to NICU for all manner of stuff and fought and fought to survive. He's beautiful in every way but also the most stubborn, determined and mulish person I've ever met. He's equally admirable and impossible and has a fantastic unimpressed face (It's exactly the same as mine).

Yes. My son was a really placid baby who did nothing but sleep. I used to have to wake him for feeds or he would have starved to death.
He was an active child / teen, played sport etc.
He's now 33 and still as placid as he ever was, but fortunately doesn't spend all his time asleep. He will still just drop to sleep in the click of a finger though at night. His sleeping is a family joke.
Strangely his first born was exactly the same, but his second is like my daughter, outlined below.
My daughter on the other hand, wow. She never stopped screaming and barely slept. Stubborn, strong willed and very active. She's now 30 and is still a poor sleeper with a perchance for throwing a strop.
If my daughter had been born first, I can assure you, she wouldn't have had any siblings 😧

Yes - constantly moving, even on the womb!

In some ways, yes. DS1 was always a very placid, laid back baby and toddler - and he’s now a very calm 17 year old. But he was also very cautious about other children, not confident about playing with them and at primary age he was socially quite isolated. That has changed completely - he’s now confident and popular, with a group of close friends. The other thing that’s changed is his academic confidence - he’s gone from someone who was on school action at primary to getting As and Bs at A level.

Yep, clear as day. All 3 of them (#4 still a baby so can’t claim to be sure about her).