Gransnet forums

Gransnet cafe

Welcome to the *Gransnet Café. This is a non-judgemental space for you to pop in for a cuppa with some virtual friends, seek out advice for a particular problem, or share an update on your life - important or trivial. Feel free to have your say and chat about your day, but please leave any arguments at the door. If you're struggling to find someone to talk to in real life, or are simply looking for a bit of a chat, this is the place for you.

What positive family traits can you see in your grandchildren?

(29 Posts)
Crumble Fri 10-Feb-17 12:45:36

My husband is very neat and tidy (I'm not!) and my son was always a very particular child too. I've noticed my granddaughter is similar. She's only 6 but likes her bedroom looking just so. She's not obsessive mind, but she does takes pride in her things. I like to think she's got my sense of humour and loves a good joke and cackle - even if she doesn't always understand it. Do you notice any particular traits in your grandchildren that remind you of your own children - or yourself?

tanith Fri 10-Feb-17 13:03:48

One of my daughters sons J has the personality and traits of his Uncle S my son.

They are so alike in everything they do, both computer obsessed, quiet, shy, late starters dating, neither of them have any interest in learning to drive, lovely caring natures but hard to communicate with unless they've had a pint then you can't shut either of them up.grin They both love to travel and often do alone.

When J was born he was given the same second name as S I think my daughter must of had an inkling and I do wonder if J was born to the wrong sibling.. grin

Welshwife Fri 10-Feb-17 13:27:36

DS Is very similar to my father - I can see so many like traits but the one I like best is the way he treats his wife and sons - he is never anything but lovely to them thinks about what they would like etc and does his best all the time. My father was exactly the same to my mother and us. I see traits of this in DGS who is Nephew to DS.

DGD thinks the same as me - not sure that is a good thing - but often says things which I have not told her about and it could be me talking. An example - she was about 12 and in the back of our car and suddenly started talking about how awful it would be to drown and described the water covering your face etc. I have always dreaded this and so encouraged all the children to swim - I never mentioned my fears to anyone. She often comes out with the thoughts of DD or me. grin

Nice interesting thread starting here.

ninathenana Fri 10-Feb-17 13:42:07

I'm struggling here smile
D's two boys are as messy as she is and as loud and chatty, nearly 8 yr old is an excelent reader as was D's brother at that age.
At 8 and 5 it's hard to know how their personalities will develode but I think the oldest will be kind consconside and affectionate like his GF. He constantly tells me "I love you nannie" smile ?

Cherrytree59 Fri 10-Feb-17 14:00:03

My DD says her grandfather my dad lives on in her youngest 2 year old son.
His characteristics and mannerisms are so like my DF its uncanny
My DF died when my GS was only a few months old. So definitely nature over nurture.

harrigran Fri 10-Feb-17 15:57:14

DS is very like my father in mannerisms and temperament. Youngest GD is like my mother, sociable, outgoing and loves nothing more than a family gathering but in looks takes after DH's mother.

paddyann Fri 10-Feb-17 17:05:09

talkative ,always "right" have the same tastes in music and the same love of food ..and like my son and daughter they all have hearts of gold,would do anything to help others,donate toys and raise funds for charities.Terrific kids ,if they could just pick up their clothes off the floor they'd be perfect!

Hildagard Sat 11-Feb-17 09:28:25

My grandson is just like my Dad. My Dad was an engineer and my grandson aged 6 just loves taking things apart to see how they work?

Marnie Sat 11-Feb-17 09:37:35

Don't see them so will never know unfortunately.

Icyalittle Sat 11-Feb-17 09:46:12

What a great thread! My DGS is not yet four, and has my DD's and DS's (both lawyers) forensic arguing skills already, with a logical comeback to everything and is always convinced he is right. He is also very food-suspicious - ("is this food from a COW?" Or "I don't like leaves in my meat" when I put chopped mint in meatballs etc) just like his mother and uncle.

Icyalittle Sat 11-Feb-17 09:47:29

marnie so sorry, flowers

blueskies Sat 11-Feb-17 10:04:39

Compassion. They are doctor, paramedic, teachers. And they are socialists thank goodness. I couldn't be more proud of them.

JackyB Sat 11-Feb-17 10:14:51

My DS no 2 is so like my father. He even has the same name. I warn him when I notice things because although all the DS admired my father a lot he was an absolute s*d.

DGS is only 2 but is totally fascinated by the heating system both at our house and the other grandparents'. This must come from DH's side as his grandfather, father and uncle were all plumbers and heating engineers.

DS no 1 is a genius at maths and physics. This could come from FiL or from my mother. Double helping!

Chewbacca Sat 11-Feb-17 10:30:13

My father was an engineer but none of us kids ever followed a career even vaguely connected. But my DS1 was fascinated with anything to do with engines or electronics from a very early age and went onto become a electrical engineer in the motor industry. His DS, my GS1, is also showing interest in the same subjects. DS2 meanwhile took a while to find his niche in life but is now a qualified nurse. His DD seems to be showing an interest in engines and motors but it's early days yet! Interesting to see how family traits surface from generation to generation.

Welshwife Sat 11-Feb-17 11:21:32

So interesting how many children are taking after grandparents. My DF was an engineer too and then DS and also DGS Number1 - nephew of DS is also an engineer - all slightly different fields - electrical, electronic and now materials. DGS 2 is also looking like following suite - he is son of DS.
DD and DGD are both very much people persons and so is DGS3 - nephew to DD. So interesting the connections.

Kim19 Sat 11-Feb-17 12:38:24

I take full credit for all their virtues and share their limited shortcomings amongst the others!

Snowdrop Sat 11-Feb-17 13:26:29

Great thread! I see my DF in my DS. Same build, mild mannered, kind and considerate and both highly intelligent. My DF died before my DS was born but he would have loved him (of course!) and loved the fact that my DS had all the opportunities my DF didn't have. I used to wonder if all of this was wishful thinking on my part but one of my cousins who knew my DF very well also commented how like his grandfather my DS is. It really gladened my heart ❤

aprilgrace Sat 11-Feb-17 13:56:40

My 2 year old DGD loves silly poems such as The Ning Nang Nong, which I used to adore as a child. And she loves to know the names of flowers and plants like my 87 year old mother who knows the Latin name of virtually every plant in her garden. A real chip off the old block(s)

Marydoll Sat 11-Feb-17 14:38:26

My eldest son's daughter has so many traits of her auntie, my youngest child. Everything GD does, she does logically, just like my daughter. My daughter has amazing problem solving skills and is fiercely determined. I think my daughter has been re-incarnated in my granddaughter! I have a feeling of déjà vu just watching her.

Sheilasue Sat 11-Feb-17 14:47:21

My son was very Kind he would help anybody he also had a great sense of humour, my gd takes after her dad in that respect. My daughter is very hardworking and is kind kind too, she was determined to have a good education and works extremely hard at her job, very much like her dad. The thing I admire is there caring traits which we have taught them.

threexnanny Sat 11-Feb-17 15:21:12

I've noticed that when all the family is together our children's in-laws see traits in the grandchildren which they attribute to someone on their side of the family although I am convinced they've inherited from my family! Usually just the better bits needless to say.

Morgana Sat 11-Feb-17 16:19:09

My son decided he wanted to fish when he was about 8 or 9. We had no idea how to go about it but he is now an avid angler. Since no one in our families fish, think it must have been a long gone great grandfather.

PamelaJ1 Sat 11-Feb-17 17:01:53

My DGS is exactly like DH and DD. They are both a little introverted and reluctant to try new things just as he is. I took him to tennis lessons, after we had lots of practice in the garden. He wouldn't get out of the car!
His mum took him to beavers but he wouldn't go in. He will eventually when 'he gets used to it' but I can't help wishing he had a little of my DD1 -and my attitude of giving everything a go. Still his mum and grandad seem happy enough!

Juggernaut Sat 11-Feb-17 17:30:21

I'm like a clone of my DF (apart from the gender difference of course), my DS is almost a clone of me, and so far, it would appear that DGS is cut from the same cloth.
The same sense of humour, the quick temper, the 'home bird' attitude, and physically there's no chance that anyone could ever doubt that we are one family!

Yorkshiregel Mon 13-Feb-17 09:44:28

I have two GC's who cannot sit still, they have to be doing something every minute of the day. Both inherited that from their fathers, my sons. I have 2 who can play the piano. Musical instruments are played by quite a few family members on both sides, including one g.grandfather, my father and one of my dil. Not me unfortunately although I am learning to play the piano but finding it hard. All of them have a sense of mischief and fun and are a joy to be with. Just like my sons and one brother are. One is great with chemistry, maths and biology so he is following in father's footsteps. Everything has to be in order for him, he takes after his Mother for his interest I maths. One is interested in Arts and Crafts and loves making things and entering competitions with her creations....she takes after her Mother, my sisters and also me because I love painting and drawing too, so much so I have a degree in it. Two of them enjoy the outdoors, as does one of my sons. One GS is dead keen on all things military so takes after his Grandad, my father. He is also keen on tennis and badminton as are his parents. One of my sons is mad keen on football and his little son seems to be following in father's footsteps.

Unfortunately not many of them except for two are very tidy. I like things just so, my son says he has better things to do than fretting about where things are. His very clever son is the same. My one and only little GD is very tidy but I do not know where she gets that from.