Certainly you could argue either way the root causes of personality and behavior being either natural or taught. But having a son now, I might have to say that I lean more towards the nature side of things. I've heard countless times that boys are more aggressive than girls, but until now I tended to believe that it was something that the parents instilled in them. Sort of like the same stereotypical habits that we tend to force on our kids. You know - boys don't play with barbies, but GI Joe's and trucks. Girls are dainty and prissy. Boys are aggressive or rowdy. Up until Gavin, I had the tomboy in Baeleigh. She broke that stereotype and I kind of felt like I helped her express herself in that manner. I didn't want her to conform to the sterotypes and I allowed her explore things that weren't necessarily girly - working on cars with Daddy for instance. Yes, she'll play with dolls but she also loves to watch Daddy race. She's rowdy and boisterous and loves to play outside and get dirty.
Granted Gavin is only 8 months and is a very laid back child, but he has quite the aggressive side in him as well. Take for instance, his baths. He splashes water all over the place and in his face like it's going out of style. Baeleigh maybe kicked her feet, and didn't want the water to get in her face. Gavin will just haul off and smack you, just for the heck of it and giggle when you say "Ow". If he's sleepy, you better bob-and-weave and keep your facial appendages out of reach because he will grab at your nose, ears, lips and just yank as hard as he can. Along with smacking your face. He's not the snuggler. Baeleigh was. He will jump all day in or on whatever he happens to be placed - jumperoo, high chair, floor, table, your lap - and never tires of attempting downward dog or trying to "fly" Super Gavin style to his next location. (Though, insiders tell me that the little bugger has begun crawling, though we have yet to catch him in the act.) He roars at me like a lion daily, heck constantly. Baeleigh was the laugher, the giggler. Gavin isn't. He watches (no make that studies) and strategizes on his next beatdown. (Ok, I exaggerate a little.) And, it's this aggression that I wonder about. I didn't teach him to be this way. I don't treat him differently or condone the hitting or pulling of hair, etc. So, my summation is that it must be nature. He's a boy, that's what boys do right?
Ok, now I can relate. All the times that my girlfriends said boys will be boys, I thought "whatever". Now, I know it's true. Though, this scares me because my friends with toddler boys tell me all about the super-hero acts that I have yet to look forward to - jumping off of the coffee room table for instance. Oh, I'm in for it.
