Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Stranger in Our Midst

Me: I wonder what parts of your personality the baby will have. Will it be mostly you and slightly mitigated by some of me?

Spouse: You know the kid might have a completely different personality than the both of us, right?

Me: *shocked look* What?! What do you mean?! He's our kid!

Spouse: You know genetics has nothing to do with personality right?

Me: *puzzled look*

Spouse: *patient condescending look* Like twins...they have identical genes...

Me: *lightbulb look*...but different personalities...oh yeah...

Me: *disturbed look*

4 comments:

Michael said...

I didn't mean genetics has nothing to do with shaping personality. Just that genetics doesn't alone determine personality.

Alice in Wonderland said...

oh, that's somewhat of a relief then

Tammy said...

Hmm, there are a remarkable number of stories where twins were separated at birth and somehow, in their completely separate lives, both ended up becoming firemen, or cops, or doctors...I guess my point is that genetics are so important that, in the nature vs. nurture debate, nature usually wins.

Your kid will have great genes so you guys have nothing to worry about. And i really, really mean that :)

Alice in Wonderland said...

Aw, that's so comforting Tam. I guess there is a certain spectrum (determined by genes) within which a person's unique personality can express itself. Good to know our kid won't veer too far from the ol' apple trees. Thanks for the vote of confidence!