Like Mother, Like Son: I’m Raising a Mini-Me, and It’s Exhausting

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My son is an introspective, book-obsessed, slightly quirky kiddo. He can be a bit scatterbrained at times, intensely focused at others, and he’s known to get emotional at the drop of a hat.

He’s basically a younger version of me.

It’s both fascinating and a little overwhelming to see myself reflected in him. He can lose himself in a book so deeply that a marching band could parade through the living room, and he wouldn’t bat an eye. He’s calm for weeks, but the moment his sister makes a silly face, he can burst into tears for what feels like forever. Raising my little doppelgänger can be enlightening, but boy, can it be frustrating too. Here are 10 reasons why:

1. When he has a brain freeze, my genes catch the blame. If he stands there baffled while brushing his teeth, my partner will exclaim, “Wow, he’s totally inherited that from you.” It’s painful, but he’s right.
2. I’m not exactly a role model for adulting. When I’m yelling at him to chew with his mouth closed, he can’t take me seriously because, well, my mouth is full too.
3. I often know exactly what’s on his mind, which isn’t always a good thing—especially when he’s shooting me a glare after I’ve taken away the iPad.
4. I see him wrestling with the same challenges I faced. Common sense, for instance, is a real learning curve. I remember sweeping my parents’ garage with the door wide open, only to cover the entire place in dust. Yup, that was me.
5. I find it easier to manage my daughter, who takes after my partner. I’ve got that dynamic down pat.
6. I’ve come to realize just how annoying I can be. I struggle with listening, have zero sense of direction, and forget things all the time—just like him.
7. I genuinely want to help him navigate challenges, but deep down, I know he’ll learn more from his own mistakes—just like I did. He’s got to experience a few tumbles, bumps, and awkward moments along the way.
8. During parent-teacher conferences, I now have to hear about the silly things I did at his age. Love notes, crushes, and all that goofiness. At least there’s a silver lining with good grades.
9. Trying to reason with him feels like talking to a younger version of myself. We can go in circles until we’re both so exasperated, we want to jump ship.
10. I have to relive every awkward social moment through him. He has a sensitive heart that will undoubtedly face its share of heartaches and social anxieties.

All I can hope for is to guide him a little through life, even if my direction is a bit off—thank goodness for his little sister to balance things out. For more relatable parenting insights, check out this post on home insemination. And if you’re looking for more information on pregnancy, this resource on infertility is excellent.

In summary, parenting a child who mirrors your own quirks is a wild ride filled with challenges, nostalgia, and a fair bit of laughter.