Nature vs Nurture

"Wait...take a photo of them first."

Alexander and Eliot grew up in the same household with the same parents, the same amount of love, the same rules...even the same scary bedtime stories (previously covered in http://diaryofanexpatinsingapore.blogspot.sg/2012/09/move-over-hunger-games_26.html).
Yet, they are undoubtedly different. How different? Enough to make me a strong believer in nature over nurture.

For example, unlike Alexander, Eliot prefers to set rather than clear the table.
She carries the crystal vase bought in Dublin from across the room (yes, I do hold my breath), uses the linen napkins, and places the mats equidistant from each other. Alexander, on the other hand, is the speedy gonzales of table clearers...he even leaves behind a few crumbs for good measure.

When Eliot doesn't want to go to school it's usually because she hasn't finished an assignment. That has never stopped Alexander.

While Alexander, if allowed, could watch endless hours of television (ranging from Mythbusters to Navy Seals Training specials), if the show Eliot likes isn't on, she just turns off the TV (what a novel idea) and plays in her room.

Eliot seems to get more attached to her things than Alexander. Yesterday, after agreeing to throw away her first grade gym shoes, requested a photo of them first. So that she could remember them.  I could go on and on...but I won't. You're welcome.

The basic point of this post is that if you're a parent ...don't worry too much. Sure, you'll be the first person to be blamed when things go south but really it's out of your hands. You're just in the passenger seat. Nature is running the show and, incidentally, monopolizing the shoe closet space.