Did you recognise your child's personality early on?

[Pregante]

This is a question for those with school age children upwards.

Did the way you described your child's personality as a baby & toddler stay the same as they grew or did you see drastic changes?

I'm just wondering how personality develops and how much is just hard wired from birth.

I have one dc who was a chilled baby and is now a chilled toddler, who I predict will remain chilled as a personality trait. I have another dc who was a high maintenance baby and is now a high maintenance cheeky mischief making toddler. How much will stick?

I thought I did but in fact I was wrong on all 4 of them! Their personalities have changed as they have git older.
Environment, parenting and life experiences shape personalities. I think parenting has the most influence on personality.

The way they all reacted to being born is interestingly reflective of their personalities!

Not as much change as I expected. DD is now 18, still very much her own person style wise and knowing her own mind. Her interests haven’t changed much, still loves digging around in the dirt and her interest in dinosaurs and fossils has evolved to studying archaeology.

DS (15) has changed more, but always slightly quirky and has a few close friends rather than a large gaggle. He is less active that I would have guessed, but not surprised by his love of computers and interest in science and engineering. He was always building something, Lego, train sets, knex and loved bridges and tractors as a toddler - so engineering makes sense.

My dd's personality has remained remarkably stable since she was a baby. She was a very happy, smiley and sociable baby, and is now a very happy, smiley and sociable 17yo. She always wanted to be around people, and that hasn't changed.

She didn't sleep much at all as baby/toddler, and she needed a huge amount of attention and stimulation to stay in her happy place. That hasn't really changed either... she is very high energy, signs up for everything, doesn't cope well with being bored.

And as a tiny girl, I remember that she would crumple at the slightest hint of disapproval... even just a gentle "no". She is still a bit of a people pleaser now, unfortunately, and she can't bear me being cross with her.

She also showed signs of being very empathetic at an early age, and that remains a significant personality trait. So yes, overall I don't think much has changed.

My nephew of the same age was much more cautious around people as a baby, and he remains much more reserved now. He was also very calm and measured, and great at negotiating what he wanted, even as a tiny boy. He retains that skill now, and uses it very effectively!

Mine are now all young adults, and are all very similar to how they were as very small children. Experiences have exacerbated/suppressed some characteristics, but they're still basically the same.

DSs personality has changed quite dramatically over the years.

High needs baby-didnt sleep, nap, very clingy.

Very chilled toddler-no tantrums at all, just laid back and enjoying exploring the world.

Struggled with primary school-overwhelmed by it all, low in confidence, anxious about everything.

He's now 13 and is so far breezing through secondary. He's confident, laid back, doesn't get stressed.

I'm wondering which version of himself he'll end up as!

Oh I should add, he's always been very kind and caring. Would never hit or bite as a toddler, has never got into fights as a teen, will walk away from any goading. He's also always had a good sense of humour too.

This is so interesting to know.....I find it amazing that many of you were able to trace back those personality traits to the early days!