When do kids personality traits stick?

[Deleted]

And do you think some personality traits are genetic?

I have been noticing things about ds for the past few months (actually his whole life,but now that he is an actual small functioning human, it's more prevalent).

He is so over dramatic (I know that alot of four year olds are, so maybe this isn't a big part of the whole picture)but with him when one thing goes wrong it's the. End. Of. The. World. He can turn on the water works. He can never just watch tv, he pretends he is in the show. He Is a HAM in front of the camera. When our photographer took family pics she said he was the easiest kid to photograph and was just so natural. He sings and dances whenever there is music. Loves to be in front of people. Has no fear of an audience. Is basically just a huge AW and a flirt.

I think I have a thespian on my hands. I mentioned this to dh awhile ago and brought it up again recently and he shrugged me off.

Tonight while doing bedtime story, ds stood up on the bed like it was a stage, and proceeded to act out the story we were reading. Dh looked at me and told me I had a point.

I want to encourage this, if it is a real thing. Not sure where to start since he is only 4 1/2 but I guess I'll start with his kindergarten play next year. And our church puts on little productions too. I'll have to hit them up.

I was in a chorus line. Drama club. Have been a part of an improv comedy troop and as soon as my kids get a little older, I want to participate in some way with the local theatre. I wish my mom had pushed me into this more because I love it and have been told that I am good at it.

Do you think at 4 1/2 this could be a real thing. Or do you think our kids will change one milllllllion times before they settle into their personality? Or both?

Oh, twy senta?

[Deleted]

Birth?

Sure, nurture matters.

But I really think nature matters more.

[cleo29]

My dad was like this as a kid, to a degree. and my Granpa, who chose medicine over a career on the stage, loved it and would dress him up in costumes. lol

I think you encourage them to try what they want to try, local theater, etc. My dad never did much acting as he got older, but his job involved public speaking and just being able to be funny and personable with a bunch of strangers.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2013 19:59:04 GMT -5 @evelynrichards said:

Everyone starts somewhere right? My DS has been a ham since birth and hasn't stopped at age 7. I would definitely encourage it. Theater can be great for outgoing kids. They need a better channel than just being the class clown.

Yes! Even in preschool he is starting to be the class clown. I want to channel this into a good thing!

[nursewife]

That sounds hilarious!! DD is an 18 month ham. Today she stole a necklace, put it on, pointed to herself and said pretty. She's so impressed with herself. I hope she grows up to be like your boy. He sounds like a riot!

[MixedBerryJam]

Jul 8, 2013 20:03:44 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Birth?

Sure, nurture matters.

But I really think nature matters more.

I completely agree. My kids are a year apart, have been raised in the same house by the same set of parents, and have had their personalities since the day they were born. And they could not be more different from each other. One could not have been easier, is friendly and is still very outgoing; the other (not to worry, he has a separate set of charms) could not be a more ornery complainer. "Why do I have to have ice cream for breakfast. You always make me eat ice cream for breakfast." Yeah, kid, complaining about ice cream really helps your credibility.  Keep it up.

[Deleted]

Perhaps this is sort of nihilist, but I truly believe you are who you are when you're born.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2013 20:07:49 GMT -5 nursewife said:

That sounds hilarious!! DD is an 18 month ham. Today she stole a necklace, put it on, pointed to herself and said pretty. She's so impressed with herself. I hope she grows up to be like your boy. He sounds like a riot!

Pointed to herself and said pretty? LOL. Love.

After ds finishes washing his face and brushing his teeth he winks at himself in the mirror before leaving the bathroom.

One time I told him I liked his outfit he picked out and he said it looked good because he was so handsome.

I have to channel this. Because I'm heading into the territory of raising the worlds youngest douche bag. It won't be cute anymore in a few years. Lol.

I'm serious people.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2013 20:12:21 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Perhaps this is sort of nihilist, but I truly believe you are who you are when you're born.

Interesting. I could see this. My sister was a pain in the ass baby and still is to this day.

[nursewife]

Jul 8, 2013 20:12:43 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

Jul 8, 2013 20:07:49 GMT -5 nursewife said:

That sounds hilarious!! DD is an 18 month ham. Today she stole a necklace, put it on, pointed to herself and said pretty. She's so impressed with herself. I hope she grows up to be like your boy. He sounds like a riot!

Pointed to herself and said pretty? LOL. Love.

After ds finishes washing his face and brushing his teeth he winks at himself in the mirror before leaving the bathroom.

One time I told him I liked his outfit he picked out and he said it looked good because he was so handsome.

I have to channel this. Because I'm heading into the territory of raising the worlds youngest douche bag. It won't be cute anymore in a few years. Lol.

I'm serious people.

He sounds hilarious! You must keep us updated on him!

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2013 20:15:40 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Jul 8, 2013 20:12:43 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

Pointed to herself and said pretty? LOL. Love.

After ds finishes washing his face and brushing his teeth he winks at himself in the mirror before leaving the bathroom.

One time I told him I liked his outfit he picked out and he said it looked good because he was so handsome.

I have to channel this. Because I'm heading into the territory of raising the worlds youngest douche bag. It won't be cute anymore in a few years. Lol.

I'm serious people.

He sounds hilarious! You must keep us updated on him!

I will

He is very sensitive too. I have loved watching his personality come out. She 4 is hard and so rewarding at the same time.

[penelope]

I think something like being artistic or musical is something you are just born with. I could take all the drawing classes in the world, but I would still just be following steps. I would never make something that I drew, come alive, a like true artist can. Like sports, you can learn the steps and the rules, but if you aren't athletic by nature, you won't have that instinct. But I think other parts of personality can change with nurture.

My oldest was such a little ball of nerves when he was little it was horrible. Anything new would send him into a tailspin that could ruin an entire day. Then, one day, he said he wanted to play hockey like the rest of the kids. We never thought he would get on the ice, but we supported him, and I can't imagine the courage it had to have taken for him to do so. Through the years he has played various other sports as well and has lucked out with some great coaches that built his confidence up so much, he is not the same kid he was 8 years ago. Sure he freaks out when a big presentation is due, but no more than most kids.

For what it's worth.

[Deleted]

penelope that's so awesome.

Watching our kids grow and push themselves is hands down the most amazing part of parenting. I'm glad your guy found something that he can thrive in.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2013 20:04:25 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

My dad was like this as a kid, to a degree. and my Granpa, who chose medicine over a career on the stage, loved it and would dress him up in costumes. lol

I think you encourage them to try what they want to try, local theater, etc. My dad never did much acting as he got older, but his job involved public speaking and just being able to be funny and personable with a bunch of strangers.

What's your dad do?!

[meganew]

My cousins have proven nature over nurture to me. Girl cousin is EXACTLY like her father, boy cousin is EXACTLY like his mother. I've never seen two children take after one parent so exclusively. And they came out like that.

[cleo29]

Jul 8, 2013 20:29:08 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

Jul 8, 2013 20:04:25 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

My dad was like this as a kid, to a degree. and my Granpa, who chose medicine over a career on the stage, loved it and would dress him up in costumes. lol

I think you encourage them to try what they want to try, local theater, etc. My dad never did much acting as he got older, but his job involved public speaking and just being able to be funny and personable with a bunch of strangers.

What's your dad do?!

Nothing crazy exciting. lol He was vice president of a trade association, a printing association.  So, part of his job was traveling all over the country, talking to companies (I guess) about what was going on in the industry.

He was a writer of poetry and won competitions, did debate team, etc. People tell me he was a really funny guy and just really outgoing.

I do have a play that he was in as a little boy, with his name written on it across the top, that I might frame in a shadow box.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2013 20:33:53 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Jul 8, 2013 20:29:08 GMT -5 @lazerus24 said:

What's your dad do?!

Nothing crazy exciting. lol He was vice president of a trade association, a printing association.  So, part of his job was traveling all over the country, talking to companies (I guess) about what was going on in the industry.

He was a writer of poetry and won competitions, did debate team, etc. People tell me he was a really funny guy and just really outgoing.

I do have a play that he was in as a little boy, with his name written on it across the top, that I might frame in a shadow box.

Omg yes. Love this.