My son is a sensitive, bookworm with a bit of a nerdy edge. He has his moments of absent-mindedness, laser-like focus, and is easily moved to tears by anything emotionally charged.
He’s a little version of me.
Sometimes it’s almost eerie how similar we are. He can dive into a book so deeply that a Mack Truck could zoom through the living room, and he wouldn’t bat an eye. He mirrors my calm demeanor for weeks, only to erupt into tears if his sister makes a silly face at him. It’s both enlightening and incredibly annoying to parent a mini-me.
Here are ten reasons why:
- When he does something silly, I get the blame. For instance, when he forgets he’s brushing his teeth and just stands there looking puzzled, my partner will say, “Wow, he’s just like you.” Ugh, but it’s true.
- I’m not the best role model for adulting. He struggles to take me seriously when I’m shouting at him not to speak with his mouth full—because, well, I’m doing the same.
- I can read his mind, which can be a double-edged sword, especially when he’s giving me the evil eye after I’ve taken away his tablet.
- I see him wrestling with the same challenges I faced. Common sense, for one. It’s achievable, but everyone laughs at you until you get it right. I once tried to clean my parents’ garage with the door open and ended up covering everything in dirt.
- My daughter, who takes after my partner, doesn’t frustrate me nearly as much. I’ve learned how to deal with that personality type.
- It’s made me acutely aware of my own annoying traits. I struggle to listen, have no sense of direction, and forget things constantly. He’s just as exasperating!
- I genuinely want to help him navigate life. Yet, I realize he’ll learn more from his own failures—just like I did. He needs to experience his own tumbles, bumps, and missteps.
- At parent-teacher conferences, I cringe as I hear stories about my own childhood antics—love letters, crushes, and silliness. At least he’s getting good grades in math!
- Trying to reason with a younger version of myself is like trying to have a debate with a mirror. We can go in circles until we’re both so frustrated that we want to throw each other off the deck.
- I must relive all the awkward social situations through him. He has a tender heart that will face many challenges; he’ll feel out of place in large groups and experience loneliness.
Ultimately, my hope is to guide him through life’s ups and downs, even if I may not always lead him in the best direction. And that’s why having his little sister around is a blessing.
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In summary, raising a child who reflects my own quirks and traits is both a joy and a challenge. While I strive to support him through his journey, I often find myself confronted with the very things that frustrate me about myself.