Nature vs. Nurture

I feel like parenthood is mostly about getting to know my kids and, as a psychology teacher, I often wonder, "Did they come that way or have they learned it from their environment?" It is great to be a mom and watch them develop new skills or try something new in their world. But what amazes me most is seeing them in moments when they are just so comfortable -- when they are themselves, doing what feels really natural. I hope that they have childhoods and adulthoods full of these times.

I just found Elise in one of these moments. She was in a basket quietly in her bedroom surrounded by books. So many days I find her like this or lost in some other activity.