I've wondered what traits the kids might have gotten from me and Art. Were any of their abilities inherited from us?
Well... The more I think about it, I think they take after Art. Both kids are athletic. They were very, very good swimmers in high school and won a lot of ribbons and trophies. (I still can’t swim.)
Yup.
This is Art doing a Half Marathon in Hawaii. He's done a couple of Marathons as well.
I do not run. Art often has to force, I mean encourage me to get my daily walks in.
Yes, Tiffany and Keola have both participated in a lot of half marathons as well. Keola was also a cross country runner in high school.
Art loves math. I've NEVER been good at it.
Tif is in finance. Keola works with medical data.
Hmmm...
Then there's travel.
I actually suffer from a bit of agoraphobia. I had to force myself to drive farther than a few blocks. I also have to force myself to leave the house if I'm alone.
Art loves to travel everywhere.
The kids are just like him. They go everywhere, and I mean everywhere. They've been known to drive cross country and beyond.
Granted, Keola might have inherited a bit of my directional dyslexia. He still manages to travel around the world on his own though. I never know which way is east, west, north or south. If I'm in a building, Tif knows I might never know which way to go in order to get out.
On the other hand, I love music. I think mom instilled that in me. Art could take it or leave it. I listen to music when we walk. He listens to podcasts. Both kids love music.
I don't pay attention to sports or know anything except the rudimentary rules of baseball and very little about football. Both kids love sports and will watch and talk about it with Art.
On the other hand, Art does NOT like to write. He says he married me so I could do all the writing for him. Keola is an excellent writer. Tif says she doesn’t like to write. However, Tif is a fabulous editor and sometimes edits my work. Art is also an excellent editor (though not the best of spellers).
In the end... I guess I'm glad, proud and relieved that they take after their dad more than me.
I think this is one of those things that suffers from a sort of self bias. I find it easy to point out things my kids inherited from my wife but struggle at times to see things they get from me. Likewise, my wife will quickly point out things she things they get from me but not agree/see with the things I think they get from her.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, children are a blend of their parents good and bad but I love them just the same, as a parent should.
It's interesting to see how interests develop in children, and even more so in grandchildren. Our son and three of our adult grandsons all take after Barry - maths, technology, detail and more.
ReplyDeleteThey are a real blend of both of you.
ReplyDeleteAlmost all of what you cite is nurture, not nature. Interestingly, it is proven that ability in math and in music go together. I hear you about wondering about inheritance, in truth. Sometimes my elder daughter does something or moves in a particular way and I see and hear my mother. Again, it could be nurture - the ED was in her late teens when my mother died, and they had a lot of contact. I do enjoy the love for your family that shines through your words.
ReplyDeleteI see this too in my girls. One looks more like her dad but is much more like me emotionally. The other one resembles me closely but is like her father in many ways.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun post. I think I take after you, except I do love math.
ReplyDeleteNow, I do hope that you can at least dog paddle! Please tell me that if you fell in any kind of water you would be able to save yourself!
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: I’ve tried, but I keep sinking. 🥴 We always told the kids they had to learn to swim from a very young age because if the plane went down, Dad had to save me. And maybe that’s why they became champion swimmers in high school. 😁
DeleteI am sure they have a lot you
ReplyDeleteKids generally take after their parents, one way or another.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's both of you in there. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteKay, I think my oldest son is more like me than the other 2 in how he thinks. And although my daughter and I are alike in our likes and dislikes, she has a lot of her dad in her too. Youngest son is probably a combination of us both. But in my family, I was definitely more like my quiet English dad than my French mom, and my sister was definitely more like mom.
ReplyDeleteIt’s great that both kids love music, despite Art not being as enthusiastic about it. And, of course, the writing aspect is a funny twist—especially with you being the one to handle the writing for Art! It sounds like you’ve got a wonderful dynamic with your family, where each person brings something unique to the table, and you’re all able to support one another's talents.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this thoughtful reflection on your family traits! I hope you are having a great weekend. You are invited to read my new post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2025/03/the-breathtaking-adventures-we-had-in-glencoe.html Thank you.
My son resembles me in looks but he acts a lot like my wife
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Jake has a few traits of mine that are not a blessing for him.
ReplyDeleteI think there is some of both of you in them ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It does make me wonder how much they take after him or just because he enjoys things so much they had to try it too!
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting. I'll have to think about it. I did find a picture of me the other day and my son's face just popped out at me. Interesting because I always thought he looked like his Dad.
ReplyDeleteI think kids are a mixture of both parents, really. They may favor one or the other more strongly, but always, you can find yourself in them too. (Don't tell my kids this...they would be horrified!)
ReplyDeleteYes, I always have to force myself to leave the house. I've been everywhere and done everything and ran around for years. Now. I am happy to be home. We did recently buy a Subaru and it's very pleasant. How easy it's made our tasks and even some close to home adventures. Went to
ReplyDeletewaialae avenue, servco kaimuki Subaru. 🤙🏽 No more Uber!