Do you see your childhood/teenage self in your children?

I do see my teenage self is my oldest teen age son and it only makes me more "privy"to him !! lol

He is such a social person ~ on the phone all the time (only he's texting instead of talking) and friends knocking on our door all the time. I remember that was my life in high School, too. I also see myself in him in that he tends to keep things to himself instead of talk about them. I see this for what it is so I am more apt to approach him for conversation than to wait for him to come to me.

In reality he's good kid so I don't worry too much.

Of course a parent sees something of themselves in the children and/or grandchildren. Sympathetic, maybe, but I think that if we're truly remembering our reactions (rebellion) in certain situations then we tend to handle it better when our offspring do or are heading in the same direction. It doesn't always work but it works better than denying that we ever had those types of feeling or reacted in a similar manner and then demanding our kids do what we say without question.

I've found (mostly) that l letting me kids know about that part of my past and discussing the outcome and consequences, they're more ready to listen. This type of communication along with treating them in a more adult fashion has worked for me more often than using the "tyrant" method.

Yes, sometimes. Even in my stepdaughter. Or, interestingly, I'll see my son going through the same things that my stepdaughter did at his age.

And, I'll take any opportunity to feel more empathy with my kids. It helps me to better teach them.

Not only do my own childhood experiences help me to better understand what my kids are going through, when I share them with the kids, they help the kids to know that they are normal (well, as normal as I was, anyway) & that they, too, will find their way eventually.

So far all I see in myself is in my daughter...she is 2 and she is VERY strong willed and opinionated and can be aggressive when provoked but at the same time is sweet and gentle and is always worried about everyone else..and that is how I am...if you piss me off or do me wrong..then don't mess with me but if you are good to me. and respectful..I will bend over backwards to help in anyway I can...

but I think my son looks more like me..

I see myself physically in my daughter Lily - like me she is pale with blonde hair and big blue eyes.

Characteristically I am more like my daughter April - she has big temper tantrums and is more stubborn!

xx