They're All Like Their Fathers

United Kingdom
March 5, 2017 3:24pm CST
My mother often says that her grandchildren, although they resemble their mothers in some ways, are all clones of their fathers. Lose one of them and all you need to do is take the father and ask if anyone has seen a smaller version! Well, I say 'smaller' version, the two older grandchildren are about the same size as their fathers. Anyway, I was thinking about this today. It's something I've thought about before. There's a saying that dogs (come to) look like their owners (or vice versa) and I couldn't help but wonder if the same was true of people. Well, not that people look like owners but the thing is this: My older nephew is like his dad. My younger nephew looks like his dad. Even my niece, although she looks more like our side of the family than the boys, still looks like her dad. Then my eldest looks just like his dad. The odd one is my youngest. He looks like, and acts like, my partner (who is not his dad). My youngest, I call him Mini, is so much like my partner that even I forget that they're not actually related. Acting like him is understandable. He looks up to him, respects him, and loves him (which are things he doesn't feel for his father). He also spends time with my partner, and chooses not to spend time with his father. So my partner is more influential. I find, however, that there are physical features and expressions which match. There are traits they share, which my partner puts down to them both having autism but I think it's more than that. They are incredibly alike. I'm not complaining. I am glad that they are like that, and that they have such a wonderful relationship. It was simply an observation in noting that all of my parents' grandchildren are like their fathers, and Mini is like my partner, whom Mini sees as his Daddy. There are also similarities (although I don't know much as we don't see them) between my partner and his eldest daughter who is also not biologically his. Strange, isn't it?
4 people like this
3 responses
@JudyEv (323734)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 17
It does seem strange. It's hard to decide how much is 'environment' and how much 'inherited'.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
6 Mar 17
I've always been on the side of nurture over nature, although nature, of course, is relevant. I'd say it's something like 80:20. I certainly hope that's the case with my youngest as I would rather he turned out like my partner than his father! I just find it strange how much alike two unrelated people can be physically and habitually.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323734)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Mar 17
@pumpkinjam Yes, it does seem strange that they are so alike.
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
5 Mar 17
How lovely that your partner and Mini get on so well, and it does seem odd that they resemble each other physically.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
6 Mar 17
I often tell my partner that seeing the two of them together makes me melt! They are so adorable together. I don't think either of them like me saying that, though, as Mini is 11 and my partner thinks it's emasculating! They've been best friends since they met only 2 1/2 years ago. But they seemed to have had an instant bond and I do find it odd that they resemble each other so much. I could put it down to my choice in partners with similar features but Mini's father looks nothing at all like D.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53601)
5 Mar 17
Strange indeed - but it is great that your son resembles your partner.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
6 Mar 17
I think it's great. I love the fact that they are so close and I really do forget sometimes that they're not related!