I think I've decided Max could be classified as a "High Need Child". That's not a bad thing, it's just Max. As a baby he wasn't what I would call colicky because he didn't have the classic hours-long screaming fits I always heard about, but he was very fussy and didn't sleep through the night until about 16 months old. Now as an almost three-year old he is still not the type of child that just sits on his own and plays quietly. He CAN do that, but more often he wants someone to interact with him and be able to accommodate his needs.
Now that Sammy is here I'm realizing how different children can be - Sammy has been less fussy, more smiley, and generally happy. He seems more easy-going than Max ever did. Some people have said maybe the difference is that I'm more relaxed with my second child. While that may be partially true, I really believe there's not a lot a parent can do to change their child's personality. Some people are Type A's and some aren't. I know plenty of first-time parents who have super-easy babies and I wouldn't say they are any more or less relaxed than I was as a first-time parent. Like I said, being high needs isn't a bad thing, it just describes Max's personality. I was pretty sure that high needs children often parlay that into positive attributes as they grow, and I was right according to this chart below. Looking at the Teen/Adult list, I think Max already has a lot of those qualities.
Truthfully, kids who always go along with what their parents say worry me. I'm glad Max is not a little robot, though it certainly would make life easier sometimes. One thing I know for sure about a high need child - life never gets boring!
CHANGING PERSONALITY PROFILE AS HIGH NEED CHILD GROWS
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
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Sarah,
I also think children can change in personality a lot as they grow. Bryony used to be a very easy-going, self-satisfied baby who could accompany us to restaurants, movies, parties, you name it, without so much as a coo. Now that she's older, however, I'm finding that even getting household chores done is hard because she really wants me to play with her ALL THE TIME. I love it in most respects because she's kind and generous and loves to share, but it certainly means that I don't have time to myself when she's sleeping because I'm getting all those chores done!
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