Genetics

I vaccuumed and mopped with a 15 lb 4-month old strapped to my chest. I'd read that infants love vaccuming--the noise and the motion. I can't recall *EVER* doing such a thing with my kids when they were little. But yes Grandmas will do just about anything for their grandkids. Even straining their backs. He does love it. Loves watching things pass by as we walk back and forth, loves watching the vaccuum. And especially the back and forth back and forth. Yep he fell asleep.

So there used to be a thought that kids were shaped by their environment and the way they were treated and raised. I never believed that once I had my second son. Because my two boys were so completely different from each other, even as infants. There are some who argue that yeah, it's the difference in the mother's maturity level and less of an anxiety response to the second child. But hogwash I say. I do believe the environment and such will affect the child some, but only in respect to the personality traits he/she already has. Kids are born with personality traits. Hunter doesn't like to just lay around and watch things. He wants to interact with them. He wants it up close and personal. He doesn't want to *see* a toy. He wants to hold it and chew on it and grab it and because his motor skills are not up to that yet, when he sees a toy he gets irritated with it REALLY FAST.

So it occurs to me that as writers we should treat our characters the same way. One has to know their character inside out, know how they're going to react to situations. Sometimes their reaction doesn't occur to us until the incident happens, but take note that their reaction affects their personality. You can't have a grumpy guy take a wrench in his plans with grace and fortitude.

Well. It makes sense to me.