1st child VS 2nd child
My firstborn son was an amazing child (which naturally I didn’t realise in the moment). Incredible temperament, happy, behaved, listened. The works. People always comment on his happiness to this day - the boy radiates it. At just 1 year old, he walked beside me at the shops, he followed the footpath, he never ran away. Our house wasn’t fenced, he didn’t try and escape. He actively engaged in games. He knew his body parts, animals etc. Not in a “genius” way. Just a “got lucky” easy kid way.
First born is nearing 4yo and my second child (boy) is now 1. He’s content but not overly happy/smiley. He actively “tantrums” (as much as a 1 year old can when you take something away or say no or close a door). It feels like his main goal is to “break the rules” as much as possible. Escape the gate. Run down the driveway. Not follow the footpath. He’s meeting - I don’t have development concerns - but he’s no where near achieving what my first was.
Comparison will absolutely be the thief of joy if I keep it up. But I am struggling. I get so much enjoyment, love, engagement, happiness from my first and I’m just not feeling that with my second. I look back at videos of all the things my first was doing at this age and I’m riddled with anxiety over my second. I’m worried this is just who he will always be. An unenthused, “naughty” kid. (I say that lightly, I don’t mean naughty naughty).
Did anyone have a tough kid without developmental issues?
(PSA - please no comments that children can’t be naughty at this age, or maybe he’s picking up on my struggles. I understand child development, I give both children love and attention. And I’m not talking different environments. I don’t have daycare. I don’t work. The children have been raised equally. I’m just talking human nature, temperament, Parent to parent, human to human. Do you have a naturally moody, tough kid? Did they change or stay that way?