December 2008 Archives

Understanding differences in temperaments can help parents appreciate their child's unique way of interacting with their family and their world. Interestingly, researchers have found that the personalities or temperaments children have inherited are not necessarily fixed for life. Even the most strong-willed or anxious child can grow and learn how to compromise or face life courageously.

Claire has her grandmother's brown eyes, Gus has a slender build and shy personality like his birth father; Melissa is stocky and energetic with a solid build like her father; and Jake is thoughtful and curious, much like his Mom. All of our children have inherited both physical and personality characteristics that influence their appearance, their abilities, their relationships, and even their interests in life.

Some of the most important biological attributes we inherit are our personality traits, also known as temperament. Differences in temperament styles have an influence upon how each of us perceives the world, and subsequently influence how we interact with each other. Much like different spices and herbs season the food we eat, our various temperaments provide different flavors to our unique personalities and subsequently influence how we experience and interpret the world.