Nothing says genetic dysfunction like watching your kids grow and seeing yourself in them. Gideon obviously has a personality similar to mine and, while I find it funny at times, it often drives me bonkers. Tear out my hair somebody get me a drink bonkers. Even better than seeing yourself, is recognizing your spouse in your child. Washington has already shown some traits that aresimilar to Ries.
My husband, bless his heart, is good at making big decisions. If it is what kind of car to buy, whether to take a different job, or some other large, life altering choice, he makes charts, considers carefully, and decides. He is the decider. No problem.
However, if it is what to eat for lunch, what toppings he should have on his pizza, or what shirt to wear (he has them organized in the closet so he just chooses the next in line), he is paralyzed by indecision. He agonizes over things that make no difference in the grand scheme of life and often will either choose not to choose or I just pick for him. Ries would point out here that choosing not to choose is actually a choice. Noted, but not accepted.
This morning, I watched as Washington was paralyzed by indecision while eating pancakes. Washington held the fork in his chubby hand and considered his plate. The fork wavered over one piece, then another. He circled the fork in the air, trying to choose which pancake square to choose. His frown went down with his eyebrows followed suit. I almost laughed because I knew what was next.
After about 30 seconds of fork wavering, unable to choose which bite of succulent blueberry pancake to eat, Washington looked up from his plate at me and cried in frustration. I solved the problem by walking to his side, stabbing a piece of pancake, and shoving it in his mouth.
Viola! Mom does all the things.
I foresee the future and it is Gideon and I making all the mundane decisions for our family while the other two bite their fingernails and worry over whether our pizza should include mushrooms (the answer is almost always, yes it should).
Very funny. I am the one who lays out my clothes the night before (and I wear a uniform t-shirt most days) to avoid early morning decisions but I can make big decisions like a pro. Tapan is the opposite. I think this is one way in which opposites attract.