Monday 5 March 2007

The Oldest Child

Being an oldest child myself, I am thankful to have some insight into the common personality traits that manifest in the first-born of a family. We are leaders (we want everyone to do as we say), we like to be in control (we want everyone to do as we say) and we like to help others in their tasks (we want everyone to do as we do).

Okay, these qualities can also have very positive results as well. One that has shown up strongly in Colin is that he does everything full steam ahead. He has tended to develop his skills a little later than most toddlers, but once he catches on, watch out. He hadn't been walking at all, so I decided to set him in front of a little lawnmower toy. It is designed so that a toddler can hold onto a bar and use it as a walker. I put the toy in the hall and sat Colin in front of it. He looked at it for a second, then promptly pulled himself up and started running! No tentative first steps, no worries about bumping into the walls - just pure energy.

In most areas, this has been an asset. However he has also decided that he doesn't want to teethe one tooth at a time, or even two at a time. The first time I saw a tooth ready to poke through, there were four coming all at once! Then three more, and now four molars. The poor kid can't figure out why he can't get a good night's sleep lately. Someday I'll have to mention to him that in some things, it might be better to take it slow!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

All of our kids were super slow at walking and some of the other physical milestones, but they've more than made up for it! (Didn't Einstein begin speaking around age four or five?!)

Mom said...

Loved this entry - what insight you have my daughter - must take after your mother! :-) I will write more later (when I have more time?), but just wanted to comment that I think you might want to take up writing a newspaper column - That's what this entry reminds me of. Well done! :-)