Does the apple fall far from the tree?

[Libramum]

I had always assumed that children would be pretty similar in character to their parents. DS is only 10 months, so it's early days, but I feel that he has quite a different character to me. DS seems quite feisty and knows exactly what he wants, I'm quite passive and just tend to go with the flow. I'd be interested to hear whether other people have found their children to be similar in character to themselves. If different, does it cause a clash or does having different characters lead to a more balanced child?

I'm quite surprised by how different ds has been so far.
EG as a toddler/small child he was quite violent, angry and he bit.
We never hit him, certainly didn't bite him, none of his friends bit, nor hit that much, we try to bring him up with love and a good example - you know, just what they say you ought to, praise the good and ignore the bad etc.
I know people do think 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree' and it kind of gets me down.
His character was evident from about the same age btw! ANd we have clashed but we muddle along and try our best.

not so much when they were little but DD1 is no a carbon copy of me and D2has very obviously inherited her more AS traits from DH.

In my very humble opinion, no they don't. It's harder to see when they are very young ... but mark these words, one day you will see you or DH staring right back at you. It's amazing and very scary!

Not at all if my parents and siblings are anything to go by. I'm somewhat like my dad in that I'm quite placid, and my sister is a little like my mum in that she's slightly self-oriented, but where my brother's polarised angry/gentle-giant personality fits into that I've no idea. He's his own self, and that's that.

Nature/nurture is always going to be a difficult one to call, but there's no reason to assume a child will be just like their parents. Yes, many appear to be, but the number who aren't are proof it doesn't always go that way.

I had a bit of a tantrum yesterday (31weeks pregnant, not that that's any excuse!).When DP had stopped laughing at me, and I calmed down I realised that I sounded just like DS, when he kicks off! He would have been sent straight to his room for an outburst like mine. It was a real eye opener.

Thanks for the replies - it was interesting to hear your experiences. I guess only time will tell what his true character is.

Giddyup, I think the odd tantrum in pregnancy is fine (well that was my excuse!) What's more, if it helps you empathise with your son, then it can't be knocked.