[hippiechick]

My baby girl's personality is really coming out all of a sudden. When people think of a three month old baby, they picture a baby who is smiley and sweet...

And my baby is...

But she is also SO serious! She just always seems so lost in thought and always observing exactly what is going on her around her. She does smile and she seems happy, but she is also more pensive.

I wonder, are baby's personalities indicative of what they'll be like when they grow up?

What do you think?

Hippiechick,
bmom of twins born 11/14/01
mother of daughter born 6/6/03

[echaos]

Liam was / is the same way. While he loves to run around, be rough and get tickled, left to his own devices he is happy to sit and look through books or play quietly and seriously with his toys. He's 14 months now. I've often wondered if this is a preview of his later personality or just a stage.

[hippiechick]

Well, I hope that these phases and personalities are ALWAYS indicative of later personality--

Since my daughter spent most of last night crying...

lol

[Shoshana]

babies are born with three broad temperament "supertraits". (if extraversion or shyness are traits, then temperament traits are supertraits).

these broad traits are highly heritable (obviously, since they're present at such an early age). they are sociability (some babies snuggle, some stiffen), emotionality (some babies are very emotionally expressive, others more passive), and activity level.

from these traits, the smaller, or subordinate traits that comprise our adult personalities develop.

sorry for butting in with a 'psych lesson' but i just love this topic ;-)

[hippiechick]

Thank you for "butting in," Shosana...

This topic interests me, too--obviously. Anyone else, feel free to share!!

[nancynic]

Hi,

What an interesting discussion ... I've read that temperament is inborn and that we and our kids have temperaments that can be adapted somewhat by nurture but are more our/their natures. Infants also imitate the people who interact with them, so when we smile and coo, they usually do the same. If we are somewhat introverted they show their pensive side ... but basically we all have our own temperaments.

Some kids show their moods more dramatically than others ... just like adults - some are easy going and others do seem to be on the serious side.

It is a fascinating topic and so important for parents to be aware of their infants and children and respond to them with lots of attention and care - and to accept children for who they are which provides the basis for healthy self esteem.

Nancy

[jodyk]

Nancy,
So true! I've always felt children (well, adults, too, to some extent) will often behave as you expect them to -- not what you tell them to do, mind you, but what you truly expect of them. My parents treated us this way (expecting us to "behave like the intelligent human beings we know that you are"), and I watched a friend raise her children in the same manner.

I also find that my foster son will often quickly react to my moods in kind. If I'm agitated or angry, he will soon start acting the same way. If I'm calm when he's throwing a tantrum, he'll often calm down quickly.

[nancynic]

Hi Jody,

Yes, our kids are SO tuned into us and our expectations ... it's such a huge responsibility ... but when we are mindful and observant and kind, it all can go so well!

Hope you are very well!
NancyNic