Is this a second child thing, or just the personality difference between my two kids?

Susie2005

DS was always really cautious when he was little.  Not as much now, but I guess he does everything I would expect a 3.5 yo boy to do.  And, maybe I was overly protective since he was the first so he didn't have the opportunity to try some of the things I find DD trying (climbing up the slide, jumping off the stairs, etc).  When he was the age DD is now he was never as rambunctious as she is.  She makes me so nervous.  She climbs everything.  She jumps off everything.  Sometimes I think it's because she is copying her big brother and trying desperately to keep up with him and sometimes I wonder if it's just her personality.

We did a lot of playing outside today and I thought she was going to seriously injure herself a couple of times.  She can't be stopped.

How does this compare to others experiences with second or other subsequent children? 

 

Sunflower777

It could be a little of both. I definitely think the second-born child has a tendency to be a little more daring both because they see their older sibling doing more advanced things, and because the parents aren't as rigidly protective as they may have been with the first. It's held true with my two boys. 

Bellisimo

Sounds like mine.  Even though she's a girl, she's daring and tries EVERYthing her brother does and mimics everything he says as well as facial expressions, whining, etc.  Her personality is a bit different than his, but I feel like a lot of what she's doing these days is to just keep up with her big brother.  She's very independent and always has been.  Doesn't want help going up and down stairs, slides, swings and will climb anything that'll stand still and ride just about anything that goes.  No fear in the water either.

Susie2005

Bellisimo:

 No fear in the water either.

YES !  Absolutely no fear in the water!!  Which is the complete opposite of big brother who won't go anywhere near it. She's scary around the water.  

josie402

I've wondered the same thing too.  DD is fearless.  The child will go right into something where DS has always been more timid.  She wants to do everything he does and is very independent.  I always wonder if I "baby" DS too much or if it's just their personalities!

REOM

I have to LOL, my second daughter is a MANIAC! She scales any furniture the second I turn my back, and isn't afraid of anything. She ran right into the ocean this summer.....makes me nervous for sure!

AZ_Erica

You just described my DD to a Tee!  We call her Miss Adventure.  She is way tougher than DS was/is.  I think it's a little of both, second child and personality.  She is always trying to keep up with him, but I think it's just her personality too. 

penguingrrl

My second is like that too!  I can't take my eyes off her for a second, whereas my first was always cautious!  Growing up it was the opposite.  My sister (first born) was out of control and still loves higher risk activities (white water kayaking, mountain climbing, ice climbing) whereas I (2nd born, 17 months younger) was very cautious and still am.  I think it's mostly a personality thing, although birth order can be a factor in that a second often wants to do what the first is doing.

oliviasmom08

My kids are the same (except my DD is the older child and DS is the younger). He is CRAZY! I keep saying that if we'd had him first, I don't know if we would've had a second. I love him to death but he's exhausting! LOL!