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Someone Asked Parents What Made Them See Their Kids Inherited Their Quirks, And They Got 43 Replies
We all have quirks that make us unique or even a little odd in others' eyes. Sometimes we pick up these quirks from people we spend a lot of time with or we admire, other times it's something we are already born with.
In today's listicle, let's dive into the stories of parents who took a glance at their kids' personalities and realized that they passed down some of their quirks to them. And let's just say, sometimes people inherit the most unhinged personality traits...
More info: Reddit
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#1
My big cackle laugh. People used to tell me it was “a witch laugh” and I was embarrassed and tried to suppress it. Then my toddler cackled in front of some of my high school friends and one of them looked at me and said “oh my god, it’s you!”.
UnclePanda 2 weeks ago
Far less endearing, I started making my dad's noises a few years ago, like when getting up from a chair or the floor. It sounds so wrong!
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#2
When my daughter was 12, she said, "Mom, I really like people, but I seriously hate humans." I felt it in my bones.
LizzieBoredom 2 weeks ago
I like to think that in caveman times, I'm the one who would have volunteered to go out searching for a new cave. Frankly I could have only taken so much stinky, bone-sucking, smoke-hand outlining (ohh.look at me. I invented art), saber-tooth tiger hunting story retelling, stubby, flatulating, grunty, people.
#3
It's my grandson.
It's like I can read his mind because HE IS JUST LIKE ME. I always anticipate the weird little sneaky things he's going to do or say or what food he'll choose - because that's what I would do, and he truly believes I can either read his mind or see through walls or tell the future. He's 6.
He's also the only one of all the kids/grandkids that got my bright green eyes.
Kids are weird, aren’t they? But what else should we expect from them – they’re just small beings trying to figure out life that they were born into not that long ago. In fact, some argue that we should encourage “weirdness” in children.
Apparently, not shaming an eccentric kid can lead them to great things. By feeling free to embrace their individuality, a kid also embraces their unique strengths and passions, which can lead to interesting career paths, the ability to think outside the box, and a unique perspective on the world.
#4
My kid walks into a room, forgets why they’re there, leaves… comes back… forgets again.
I was like—yep, that’s my DNA alright.
#5
Packing a suitcase- my husband maximizes every last millimeter of space, and packs everything with maximum efficency with the precision of a Scandanavian architect. It's like his version of Tetris.
I'm a chaos goblin with. ADHD and just jam stuff in a bag and hope for the best. Folded, not folded- it just gets tossed in.
My son- who is also a chaos goblin, was maybe 2-3 years old, and packed for a night at Grandma's. Blanket- folded, tablet tucked inside for protection, toys neatly arranged, pajamas nestled in between for more protection. It was art. No one had taught him- it's just his skill he was born with.
It translates to no other area of his life, but that suitcase is a masterpiece.
#6
Not a habit she does or anything, but my daughter looks exactly like her mother. Even in the ultra sounds we said it. It’s almost like I was there just to kick start the reproduction process and she just cloned herself. Except… for one single freckle. We both have a random freckle on the bottom of our left foot. It’s something I noticed day one too lol.
Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago
My grandma, mum sister and I all looked identical at the same age, up until about 5.
But where does that weirdness come from? Well, we probably won’t surprise anyone by saying that a big chunk of our identity is formed by our early experiences, meaning by people who surround us when we’re little – our family.
As the saying goes, “monkey see, monkey do” – little kids naturally tend to mimic the behavior they observe in their environment, which is a process called observational learning. Of course, the kids are more likely to mimic the behaviors they get positive reinforcement from, even if that’s a negative behavior.
#7
That sarcasm gene is a strong one.
#8
At the age of 3, my son laughed like we had never seen him laugh before, at the Monty Python Blancmange skit. My husband, a Brit, maintains that this is proof of a genetically conferred sense of humor.
#9
Being pretty much immune to caffeine, when I was little I wonder how my Dad drank coffee throughout the day as well in the evening and then sleep fine and not have that much energy.
Then I started drinking coffee and realized it just doesn't do anything to us.
Nikki Sevven 2 weeks ago
You might have ADHD. I've been a habitual coffee drinker since I was in my teens. My daughter is the same. We both can have a cup of coffee then go to sleep.
For instance, if a kid hears swearing, it doesn’t mean they will mimic it, but if they get some kind of encouragement to do so, they might. And so, if they see the negative consequences of such behavior, like getting scolded for swearing, they’re less likely to do it again.
At the same time, not every single personality detail is picked up from observational learning. Interestingly, some of it is just genetic. It just depends on person to person how much it is. For example, some studies show that around 30% to 60% of our personality can be inherited.
#10
This is sort of on topic- I met my bio mom for the first time at 53. Despite never having met and her living her whole life (minus a year or so) in a very different part of the country, we have the same hand mannerisms and facial expressions when we talk. It’s wild.
Lukas (he/him, it/its) 2 weeks ago
My bio mom died when I was four and I was adopted afterwards (bio dad was in jail, stepdad was a druggie and also died of an OD a few months later). Sometimes I wonder about things like this. How much I'm like her in ways I will never know.
#11
I have been parenting my brother’s clone for 20 years. Even my own mother can’t tell their baby pictures apart except by context clues in the photos. He thinks, walks, and sounds like him. The only things he got from his dad are his height and sense of humor. It’s crazy. .
detective miller's hat 2 weeks ago
I'm kinda in this situation but it's me and one of my cousins. We were raised in different countries, but our entire lives, the rest of our families have noticed that we are personality twins. Same taste in clothing and music (right down to having playlists with the same exact songs on them and the playlists HAVE THE SAME NAME as well), we have a ton of the same weird quirks and mannerisms, we have the same fav foods and we hate the same foods (cheese, olives, shellfish), we've had the same fav films and tv shows forever, half of the bumper stickers on our cars are the same or close enough. My favourite was the time a bunch of us cousins were hanging out and I got to talking to twin-cousin's girlfriend (now wife). She ended up getting really weirded out like W*F WHY ARE YOU BOTH THE SAME.
EmbersAreOut 1 week ago
Im the same way with my cousin! Not to that extent, but we have always had very similar interests. Even now, we are both studying the same thing in college, and are both hoping for the same, somewhat niche future career.
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#12
I have pictures of my sister, my mom and my grandma with the exact same pose, holding a cocktail while listening to someone talk.
Decades apart.
UnclePanda 2 weeks ago (edited)
Grandma crracked her knuckles in a very specific pattern. Cousin was born after G'ma died so I was astonished to see familiar hand motions at a dinner table. It was the exact same pattern.
That’s what today’s list is all about. Well, kind of. To be more specific, it’s about instances when folks witnessed their kids acting rather odd and concluded that it must be “in their genes” to be this way. You know, a silly thought we all sometimes have about other someone's personalities.
The thing about the whole discussion about what makes a person’s personality and what does not is kind of a slippery one, and that’s because of how much it is dependent on a variety of factors, including environment and genetics.
While some people don’t really care for being defined, others love to put their personality under a label. That’s where various tests like MBTI or the Enneagram system come into play.
#13
I was walking behind my husband and my 3.5 year old son at Home Depot. They both walk up to the tape measure display, each pick one up at the same time, extend the tape up to the right and angle their heads to the left in an equally opposite angle. It was like a copy + paste in real life and very glitchy in the matrix moment.
#14
Shenanigans. God help me my son is the exact same when it comes to doing stupid things for no reason.
#15
I birthed 3 clones of me. Scary smart, sarcastic as hell, fearless adrenaline lovers and nerds. The truly terrifying part is that THEIR children are the same.
Trans Sister Radio 1 week ago
Never trust anyone who describes themselves as smart (outside of a resume)
In some places, tests like that are taken even a little too seriously. Like in South Korea, where certain workplaces asked people to provide their MBTIs and other personality categorizations, like a blood type or a zodiac sign. Then folks, who had the types that are “frowned upon,” were rejected from positions.
And while there’s no official requirement for workplaces to use this, it’s still pretty daunting that some do. After all, these tests tend to be accurate, but not all of them are scientifically based. Doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them in a casual way.
Do you know your personality type? What is it – please share in the comments!
#16
My father-in-law, my husband, and my son are the same person at different life stages. They look alike, but the personalities, mannerisms, and senses of humor are also all spot on. It’s incredible. A real study in nature and nurture in action.
#17
Everything and nothing. My spouse is ADHD and the kids. It's always a spectacle.
To answer the question, paint cans, tarps, rollers and brushes pulled out. Then... they're all at the park or the movies. They're not being mean or getting out of the chore, they moved on. It is incredible.
It is herding squirrels.
#18
My dad left us when my son was 4 months old, he's 3 now.
My son talks eerily similar to how my dad talked, not just his choice of words, but the tone, the cadence, the way he looks away when he's done with the conversation. He has a very chill demeanor, just like him.
Michael Largey 2 weeks ago
Mom got it from her dad and has passed it along to her son. She just doesn't realize it.
#19
Speaking from the kid's perspective, my brother told a joke, and me and our dad both grabbed onto the edge of the nearest countertop, bent forward with our other hand on our knees, and wheeze laughed, in complete unison, and then we just stared at each other lol
A different time, my brother was telling me about something that happened at work, and I made a joke. A few minutes later he tells the same story to our dad, and he makes the *exact* same joke, word for word, same cadence and everything.
#20
My 3-year-old inherited my hyperlexia and wrote his name for the first time yesterday. My husband’s family is totally freaked out but it’s just Tuesday for my side.
detective miller's hat 2 weeks ago
Never knew there was actually a term for this. All 6 of us siblings were like this. That's wild.
#21
Today I asked my son where his winter hat was. My daughter said OOOO I KNOW!! runs into his room, emerges with the hat.
"It was in the opening between his bed and the wall!!!"
This girl can't find things that are right in front of her. But she remembers the wall opening hat.
My husband and I both have ADHD so it definitely tracks.
#22
My kid basically won’t wear pants in the house. Just like me and Murray Goldberg.
#23
I m interested in mythology, ancient history, philosphy and literature. Exactly like my father. All on my own….
Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago
My dad and I have always had similar interest in books and tv series. I loved finding out that he got that trait from his mum. I didn't remember much about her, as she died when I was 7, and I always found it odd how different dad was from his own father.
#24
I got in a car accident Tuesday. Was ambulanced to the ED with a bit of neck pain. Nothing serious, but didn’t want to be a Tuff Guy, just in case it got worse. In the family chat, my 22yo daughter asked if I was gonna die. I said No. She replied “Cool Cool Cool. Can I get the snow blower as inheritance this year anyway?”
Yep, that’s my girl right there!
#25
Last night, my son who is almost 2 got very frustrated over something, walked over to the couch and sat down in the exact same way his father does when he's frustrated. hands hanging off the knees, fingers together, knees bobbing around, head up, it was like a tiny exact version of him and i laughed for like 5 hours.
#27
As a child when I got nervous, stressed or if I was extra focused I would put my pinky in my mouth and clamp down on it with my teeth. I out grew this as a child but my daughter did the same thing when she was little.
PunnyPanda 1 week ago (edited)
For me, it's the tongue slightly out while concentrating super hard. Neither my mom nor I were even conscious we did it, until an old bf pointed out when mom and I were taking turns trying to sight read something on the family piano when I was in my 20s. Also noticed I've started waking up in the same weird sleeping position my mom was always in if I ever went to wake her up at night, starting after having kids of my own (arms wrapped completely around my face as if to block out the rest of existence, lol).
#28
They (3 of them) laugh at their own jokes. (Daddy’s genes).
Andrew Keir 1 week ago
Well, they only tell the jokes 'cos they're funny , so ... they laugh at the funny joke !
#29
When my husband was little, his parents called him 'Snoopy.' When our baby was born it took me about 16 seconds to realize nosiness is genetic.
#30
My kid was chewing in his hair today and i remembered for the first time in 40 years i did that as a kid. Drove my mom NUTS.
But when he sits cross legged, it’s EXACTLY like my husband and his father.
#31
Well one of my nephews is autistic and frequently tells people to stop talking. Meanwhile I simply wish it was socially acceptable for me to shush people whose voices annoy me. Another nephew has my flair for the dramatic, and my niece has a dark sense of humour that an 8 year old really shouldn't have. Just like me.
#32
My daughter’s in college taking a class that teaches them how to use Microsoft office. They just got to excel. She was so excited about how useful it’s going to be to help organize her RP and book characters…yea, totally gets that from me.
#33
Sit on the can and read for like a half hour or so. However I did put a magazine rack in the bathroom for them.
#34
My 2yo daughter hates Reese’s peanut butter cups. I got them for Halloween because we were giving her candy for the first time and I was sure she would love them. She likes chocolate, she LOVES peanut butter, but does not care for Reese’s.
She is the only other person I’ve ever known besides myself that didn’t like Reese’s.
#35
Not my kids, but when my brother was a younger child he would strip to take a number 2 even in a public restroom. His son did the same.
#36
A super weird little dance, that is JUST like my super weird little dances.
Andrew Keir 1 week ago (edited)
Dancing is a way of expressing yourself, not a request for judgement from others.
#38
They both have ADHD like me. They hyperfocus and procrastinate like I do. It comes in waves.
#39
Stare into the refrigerator and ask where the catsup is. (In the door where it always is).
#40
Picking them up from school watching them Carrying all of their school items in their arms, while wearing an empty backpack.
#41
Hatred of pickles.
#43
My parents had 4 children, all boys. My brothers and I have 5 daughters between us.
What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago
I was adopted at birth, and I turned out almost EXACTLY like my adoptive dad XD Down to the quirks, preferences, mannerisms, and the fact that we were both left-handed! O_O (No one else in my adopted or bio family is.) It's funny XD It's no surprise for me, though, that it ended up that way, because my mom was/is ábúsive, but my dad always treated me like who I was - his daughter. I was definitely much closer to him during childhood - he was a great dad (he was a victim of my mother's ábúse as well - including physical.) My older sister, who is my parents' biological child, is almost exactly like our mother. Which is again to no one's surprise - she is my mother's golden child XD But yeah, I have none of my dad's DNA, but I'm very similar to him - always have been. The craziest piece was us both being left-handed XD
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago
My mum used to get really annoyed at my siblings and I because we wouldn't use our cutlery 'correctly' We all switch the knife and fork to the opposite hand, but not the spoon. None of us are left handed or anything. It was only when I was in my late teens that any of us noticed that my grandma did the same thing, probably because she would always set the table 'correctly' and just swap hers as she went, whereas my siblings and I would forget the correct way and set the table 'wrong' for everyone. I don't think any of us observed each other did it, we just each found they felt wrong in the other hand.
Zig Zag Wanderer 1 week ago
My son was widely regarded as a mini-me because he behaved just like I did. However he is very well-organised, worked his own way through university including tuition fees, accommodation and food (I was impoverished at the time, and he couldn't get a student loan because he was not a citizen yet). My daughter is lazy, doesn't work if she does not need to, and drifts a lot. Basically my son is the child I should have been, and my daughter is the child I was 🤣
Bartlet for world domination 2 weeks ago
I have the exact same tendency to choke on nothing as my mum and my grandfather :)
LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago
I was adopted at birth, and I turned out almost EXACTLY like my adoptive dad XD Down to the quirks, preferences, mannerisms, and the fact that we were both left-handed! O_O (No one else in my adopted or bio family is.) It's funny XD It's no surprise for me, though, that it ended up that way, because my mom was/is ábúsive, but my dad always treated me like who I was - his daughter. I was definitely much closer to him during childhood - he was a great dad (he was a victim of my mother's ábúse as well - including physical.) My older sister, who is my parents' biological child, is almost exactly like our mother. Which is again to no one's surprise - she is my mother's golden child XD But yeah, I have none of my dad's DNA, but I'm very similar to him - always have been. The craziest piece was us both being left-handed XD
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 2 weeks ago
My mum used to get really annoyed at my siblings and I because we wouldn't use our cutlery 'correctly' We all switch the knife and fork to the opposite hand, but not the spoon. None of us are left handed or anything. It was only when I was in my late teens that any of us noticed that my grandma did the same thing, probably because she would always set the table 'correctly' and just swap hers as she went, whereas my siblings and I would forget the correct way and set the table 'wrong' for everyone. I don't think any of us observed each other did it, we just each found they felt wrong in the other hand.
Zig Zag Wanderer 1 week ago
My son was widely regarded as a mini-me because he behaved just like I did. However he is very well-organised, worked his own way through university including tuition fees, accommodation and food (I was impoverished at the time, and he couldn't get a student loan because he was not a citizen yet). My daughter is lazy, doesn't work if she does not need to, and drifts a lot. Basically my son is the child I should have been, and my daughter is the child I was 🤣
Bartlet for world domination 2 weeks ago
I have the exact same tendency to choke on nothing as my mum and my grandfather :)
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