True or false? Your child's personality is wired from birth.


With Daylight Savings behind, I’ve noticed how the days feel just a little longer and longer. It’s a small shift, but for some of us (and definitely some of our kids), even small changes can feel big.

That got me thinking about something I’ve been learning from Vanessa Van Edwards and her research on the Big 5 Personality Traits—especially Openness. This is a trait that really connects to individuality—how much we naturally enjoy (or avoid) new things.

Here’s what surprised me: 35-60% of our personality is genetic! And there’s even a study showing that how kids act at age 3 can predict a lot about who they’ll be at 26. So if you have a child who loves trying new things and another who clings to routine, it’s not just a mood—it’s part of who they are.

And here’s something even more interesting: Kids who are high in Openness actually get a bigger boost of dopamine—the brain’s feel-good chemical—when trying new things. But for kids lower in Openness, dopamine is released much more slowly, so new experiences can feel overwhelming instead of exciting. Here’s a simple way to think about it:

High in Openness? They get energy from new things, love variety, and dream up big ideas. If your child loves new things, give them little moments to explore—a new snack, a fun outing.

Low in Openness? They find comfort in routine and too much change can feel overwhelming. Your child may crave routine, so help them feel grounded by focusing on what’s staying the same, and explain new things gently, with reasons they’ll care about.

Understanding this has helped me meet kids where they are, instead of wishing they were different. If you’re curious where you or your child might land, check out the free Big 5 quiz at Science of People! It’s a great way to start this conversation.

By the way, did you join me yesterday at the JetLearn Summit? Thank you for being part of the conversation about encouraging more girls in STEM and entrepreneurship!

And if you’re enjoying these topics, you’ll definitely want to hear from Tammy—she’ll be speaking at another great parent summit later this month. Scroll down to see where you can catch her and keep the inspiration going!

How Do I Get My Child to Try New Things?

"My 5-year-old daughter is super creative and loves drawing, but anytime I try to introduce something new—like a dance class or a new activity—she resists right away. I don’t want to push her, but I also want her to experience more at an early age. How can I encourage her to try new things without forcing it?" — Brittany H

First of all, I love how tuned in you are to your daughter’s creativity—and how much you want her to grow. It’s so natural as parents to want our kids to experience more hobbies and interests, but when a child resists new things, pushing can sometimes backfire—even when we have the best intentions.

Here’s something that might help: Instead of focusing on the activity, focus on building her "trying" muscle. Like all muscles, it grows with small, positive experiences. And that’s where Tiny Habits come in—starting so small that it feels safe and doable. Here’s how you can begin:

⚓️ Anchor the habit to something familiar.
Pick a predictable moment—like after you finish breakfast or after storytime—to invite her to try one tiny piece of something new. For example, “After breakfast, we’ll look at one picture from a dance book—just to see what dancers do.”

👣 Make the first step almost too easy.
Instead of signing up for a class, watch a short video of kids dancing or try on dance shoes together. You’re not asking her to commit—you’re just giving her a gentle "peek" at something new.

👏🏻 Celebrate effort, not outcome.
Every time she takes a small step, celebrate it! Even if she only watches for a minute, say: "You tried something new! That's so brave!" The goal is to help her brain connect "trying" with good feelings.

Some of us are naturally low in openness so introducing variety in tiny, non-threatening ways (like tasting a new fruit or reading a different kind of story) builds confidence over time.

And most of all—it’s okay to go slow. You’re helping her learn that she can safely explore, and that’s a lifelong gift. 💛

TIP: Adjust these tips to fit your child and situation. Have a parenting challenge you'd love some fresh insight on? Email me your question—I’d love to help!

Homeschooling, Neurodivergence, and Owning Individuality

Looking for more inspiration on how to honor your child’s individuality—especially when they learn differently?

In Episode 34, I chat with Afsaneh Moradian, a homeschooling mom, educator, and children’s author, who knows firsthand what it means to support a child’s unique way of being in the world.

Afsaneh, who holds a PhD in Education, shares her experience raising her neurodivergent child and how she’s helped many families navigate homeschooling—especially those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences. She’s also the author of the Jamie Is Jamie series, which challenges gender stereotypes and teaches kids about self-advocacy and respect.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create a learning environment that embraces who your child truly is, this conversation is full of wisdom and practical takeaways.

🎧 LISTEN NOW on APPLE PODCASTS or SPOTIFY

As spring rolls in, it’s a good reminder—every child blooms in their own time.

We can lean into the "let them" approach—let them grow, explore, and show up as themselves, even if it looks different from what we imagined.

Maybe it’s wearing that wild outfit, listening to their latest creative idea, or joining them in something they love.

Letting them struggle, make mistakes, or feel a little discomfort is part of what grows them in the best ways.

So here's to making space for them to be fully themselves—because that’s where the magic happens. 🌷✨