Monday, June 09, 2008

Slip 'n Slide: An indepth study of personalities

As I was watching my three children enjoy themselves on our slip 'n slide this weekend, I had an epiphany. I observed my children, watched them slide, contributed to their high fives, and snapped away with my Nikon. And then, it came to me. Sometimes, very rarely, I surprise myself.

People's sliding techniques speak volumes about their personalities.

I knew there was a method to my madness for wanting three children. You see. My epiphany included three different personality types. We all fall into one or a combination of some. Note: OHmommy does not claim to be a specialist. This post has no scientific merit.

Personality Type A:
Those that slide looking forward.

These people are generally those that face life head on. Strong willed and determined. They do not ask for direction and have an answer for just about everything. They have hearts of gold, on their own grounds.

"Do you want to talk to Uncle Mike?" I asked Lola while on the phone with my brother. No. She shook her head. "His heart will be so sad, Lola. He won't buy you any candy in Chicago." Immediately she responded, "Aunt Kash will buy me candy." I had to think fast and replied, "Uncle Mike will tell Kash not to buy you anything." Even faster then my own witty reply she said, "Than Kash will not listen to him."

Determined.

Personality Type B:

Those that slide facing away.

These people are generally those that face life thinking. Hard working, easy going, and loving. They ask many people for direction and contemplate which is the best route for them. They worry about others and wear their hearts on their sleeves.

"Do you want to talk to Uncle Mike?" I asked Jay. "YES! YES! Let me dial the number, please? I hope he is home. Do you think he is home?" He asked. After his conversation ended, Jay asked if perhaps he could send Uncle Mike a drawing or maybe even a letter to show him he loves him. Or maybe Uncle Mike would like to have a video call so he can show him some new Lego creations. "I love Uncle Mike." Jay confessed as I tucked him into his bed.

Reflective.

Personality Type C:
Those that do not slide.

These people are generally those that face life with their own set of rules. A combination of A & B & more they are... strong willed, determined, hard working, loving, and free spirited. They have their own direction. They have their own set of rules.

"Do you want to talk to Uncle Mike?" I asked Fifi. She shook her head NO. I giggled. She shook her head YES. I giggled. She took the phone cord and wrapped it around her neck to act as a necklace. "Bye. Bye. Bye-bye!!" She walked. We all giggled. She toddled and pranced around the house wearing a phone cord as a necklace.

Independent.
How do you slide?

69classy comments:

C and C Mommy said...

OhMommy-I have a son who is Type A and a daughter who is Type C. I am definitely Type B...How do we all get along?

Great pics...love them.

lattemommy said...

I'm in serious envy of slip and slide weather. It's been cold, grey and raining for a week here. I'm moving to Ohio.

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

I am so Type A- always looking forward. And each of my children would be different sliders, including my oldest that would definitely not ever slide.

Steph

krissy said...

Head first....always head first. I am determined, stubborn and quick witted.

I must confess that I am type B too though....just not on a slip and slide. Type B reminds me of Diva...as much as she is head stong, she wears her heart on her sleeve.

Great epiphany. I love your thinking.

Tootsie Farklepants said...

How do I slide on a slip 'n slide? I don't. I might break a hip.

Zoeyjane said...

fifi, isobel and i are total type Cs, i can completely see what you mean!

Isobel would try to steal the water source somehow, continually yelling at it to "dop it!" while i would run back and forth, never letting all ten of my toes leave the ground at the same time and then get cold and wrap up in a towel.

Buttermouth said...

What a great post, and it's so true.

Here I was thinking that we were having a normal phone conversation , but you were conducting a psychological test at the same time too!

Cecily R said...

First of all, this post is brilliant and adorable all at the same time. So sweet and so well written. LOVE the pictures.

Secondly, what does it mean if I tend to start off looking forward but usually end up all turned around and in the mud off the side?

Mr Lady said...

What about those of us who go down on our bottoms with our feet in the air for fear that, if stretched flat out on our belly, we'll be harpooned?

Jill said...

My oldest is an A & my youngest is the B... though the B sometimes (who am I kidding, all the time) drives me to drink... heavily.

Love the photos!

Jill said...

Oops... I got them switched. See, I'm too drunk to be writing this.

The Mom Jen said...

Hubby and my oldest are A's...My Boy and I are B's, and baby k is a C. GREAT post! ;)

Unknown said...

What about the people who don't slide because they are shivering in their hoodies and jeans while trying to decide, umbrella or no umbrella?

Ughhhhh.

Anyway, I'm a type C. A no slide. I will run and skim board (stand and slide) on this sort of contraption. But that is the skier/snowboarder in me ;)

Laura said...

Totally love this post! WONDERFUL!

Thanks for sharing.

McMommy said...

Love this post, Dr. OHmommy! I think I have one of each in my house!!

Mandy said...

This looks like so much fun. We were shopping for summer fun water toys for our back yard yesterday.

I think hubby, myself and youngest would be type A.

My oldest might be a type B. Thanks for sharing this post.

Rachel said...

Brilliant.
I never slid the same way twice. See, I'm so twisted.

Love the captures, absolutely gorgeous and this was so well written. you are a rocking momma!

Miss Lisa said...

I think it's time to get out our slip and slide. I'm thinking I am a B and my kids might be a combo but more C than anything ;)

Jessica said...

I am chuckling as we loaded the kiddos up yesterday for a trip to Target. (A/c broke in this horrid 90 degree heat! Apparently service man is coming today.) Daddy picked out a slip N slide for the tots. We arrived home, set it up, slathered in sunscreen and my 2.5 year old looked at the contraption and said "No Daddy, you do it." What? This is a every little boy's dream. I have child D: You test it out and I will see if it looks enjoyable.

Stephanie said...

I am probably more a Type B but I believe I have a Type A daughter on my hands. It's a bit early to tell for sure, but I can see it coming!
Lola looks fearless in that picture! I love it :)

Anonymous said...

Isn't that the most fun! Trying to figure out how they work. I love Jay's reaction to life, but I think I'm more of a combo B/C gal.

Unknown said...

Let's see ... Annie and Zach are C's and my two older boys and I are A's. Although, I think if she were actually persuaded to slide, Annie would be a B.

Great shots of your kids, by the way.

Bunchy said...

Brilliant!! I'm a B, for sure. And I have 3 kids...one of each. I'll be thinking about this one all day!!

Anonymous said...

Personally I am of the persuasion as not take ones feet off the ground unless necessary.

My kids also had their S&S out this weekend....they had it at a 45 degree angle down the front lawn. No pictures were scored for us, as I lay hiding in the shade on a beach towel, book in hand-I saw a dead snake and was frozen solid.

can we say el pollo caca?

Jennifer said...

great insight to personalities. :) loved the post... LOVED the pics. :) your kids are so adorable. :)

i also loved how each scene went with asking the kids about talking to u. mike. :) my kids are like each one of your kids on any given day... some days they will all talk and other days if you NEEDED them to talk you couldn't get them to. lol

have fun with your slip n slide. :)

xoxoxox's

Rhea said...

How do you slide?

I could totally see that on a T-shirt. LOL Adorable kiddos, great post!!! The photos are fabulous!

Karen said...

It sounds quite professional and in-depth to me. I love watching my children's personalities evolve.

I don't slide. I'm a weenie like that.

LunaNik said...

What about type D...the type that doesn't slide for fear that her old bag of bones will suffer from compound fractures? ;)

Stephanie said...

Aren't you observant? I have a C and an A. Love the pics!

Indy said...

We don't have the thing to slide on. We are heading straight on with no cushion. What does that say about us?

Mama Smurf said...

I'm pretty sure those slide techniques can be directly correlated to First, Middle, and last born children! As far as the "how do I slide" question....I'm a first born...so I'd have to say maybe the second scenario...but....honey...it's been many many years since this butt has touched a slip n slide I honestly can't remember. Maybe I'll experiment with it this weekend! ;)

Kelly said...

My oldest is A, my middle is B, and my youngest is C. Very interesting analogies. I'm not sure where I fit in there yet.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I don't slide, I'm old and might break something. You know, the bigger they are, the harder they fall! ha ha
I used to slide with dish soap on the slip & slide. We'd go way past the end of it and keep right on going! Crazy!

Don Mills Diva said...

I'd have to say head first - it's my beat and worst quality.

Those pictures are to die for - just awesome.

Ashlee said...

Such a fun and cute post!

Anonymous said...

I am DEFINITELY a C. Great pics!

AutoSysGene said...

Type A. I love these reflections on your kiddos. It's amazing that you have 3 different types living in your house at one time.

AEH said...

Adorable pictures! And I'm def type B!!

Jan said...

I'm an A. Straight ahead, not prisoners.

Anonymous said...

This is sweet! Both of my girls are polar opposites. Sarah, my older one, is more of a drama queen, strong willed, yet very cuddly and loving and quiet and shy at times. Hannah is loving but very independent and does not like to cuddle much. She is on the move non stop except in her sleep. It is amazing how two people can come from the same gene pool and be so different. I love it though. Sarah is very reserved and cautious and Hannah is out there trying something no fear.

Melissa said...

those are such cute pictures! Those are going in the family photo album for sure. I love that picture of your little one just standing there :)

Crystal D said...

Oh, I am so a C with Fifi.
Madeline is just like Jay and Amelia is just like Lola. I wonder if I am going to get my little Fifi next. I wouldn't be surprised at all!

Amy said...

Cute, cute pics!
That Lola cracks me up! I think she and my little one would have a ball together.

Unknown said...

Well I'm definitely a B, my little sis is a C, and I'm guessing you and Kash would fall into B and C categories too (:

Mom said...

I think I need to break out the slip and silde this weekend for a little insight on my kids :)

I am so a type A

Marmarbug said...

My son is an A. I am a B. Love the pics of the kids on the slide!!!!

Anti-Supermom said...

I'm a 'B' - but I have an 'A' and a 'B', just waiting for us to have that 'C' someday. Now you are making me freak out a bit. I'm not sure I can handle a 'C'.

Got that? Looks like you are feeling better. Great pics.

kim-d said...

OHMommy, how fortunate you are to have all three! I have a beloved Type B, and one that completely defies typing at all. As for me, I'm all three, depending on the day :). It is so incredible to have a daughter with such spunk, a son with such heart, and that precious baby who already has such style, and with cute legs, too!

Kat said...

I think I am all three, but at different times in my life.
Great post!!!

Googling Goddess said...

That is so stinkin' CUTE.

3 Peanuts said...

Oooh this is deep---and I think quite accurate! I am afraid I slide like Lola although in ways I wish I slid more like Jay:) You are so wise Oh Mommy!

Laski said...

I think I might be a little of each . . . . which means I look mighty ridiculous when sliding :)

Danielle said...

I think I am type C! Those pics are awesome. It looks like your three little ones had an great time. The last pic is my fav!

Insane Mama said...

I go with the last one... should I or shouldn't I? Thats me

CC said...

Awwwwww! I love it! The psychology of Slip and Slides! Sell this along with the slide and you'll make a fortune! ;)

Karen MEG said...

Seriously, this was BEYOND good, this post... it was GREAT!
The pics, the psychology, brilliant!

Slide or no slide, I think I an over the top A. I feel badly for my kids; my boy is a B; the girlie for sure, a C ;)....

Flea said...

I'm not any of the above, I think. Slow, stubborn, independent, not too motivated. Is there a category for sloth?

SECRET AGENT MAMA said...

Love it! I have one of each. :D

I would like to come over and have our kids slip-n-slide, while we snap pictures, and talk about the ways in which we slide through this beautiful life.

Mnogu te sakam, vekje pre mnogu!

Burgh Baby said...

To Slip 'n Slide, I would need a swimsuit. THAT is not happening!

(But I totally would go face first if I were properly attired.)

The 5 Bickies said...

love your observations. They are all different, aren't they?

Wendi said...

No photos of OHMommy in her new VS bathing suit?
What about Mr. OHMommy in his Juno running shorts?
How do the OHMommy's slide?

This is genius.
You must add this as a separate chapter in your book.
Fabulous photos.
Fabulous post.
Fab. u. lous.

MommyTime said...

Face first all the way for me. Son is a look away type of kid. I imagine Daughter will be all face first -- though it may be a little early to tell. Interesting, isn't it?

And, oohhh.... yes, let's get LatteMommy to move to Ohio!

MarĂ­a said...

I don't slide. LOL.

just jamie said...

I don't slide. I pull up a beach chair, grab a cocktail, and direct traffic.

(Love your literary genius day after day. How do you do it?)

Kim said...

I am Type A.
My first son is Type A.
My second son is Type B.

What a great post.

Tena said...

we were on our slip n slide this weekend as well, and I have to agree with your blog. Saldy I have no idea how I slide, I did not partake, but I will tell you this, my Dh might be the boy that enjoys the slip n slide the most out of the 4 of them... ha ha ha

Rhea said...

I wanna know how YOU slide Oh Mommy. lol

I wonder if I could convince our sweet Annie (the dog) to slide...wouldn't that make a great picture? hehe

April said...

Those pics are so great!! And I'm w/ Rhea; what's your slide personality?

I think I'm an A.

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

Featured on Good Mom/Bad Mom on the Houston Chronicle.

http://tinyurl.com/6mb75y

 

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