Our parents introduced us to the world through their lens, shaping our hobbies, passions, and priorities. We might be thankful we inherited Mom’s figure or Dad’s blue eyes, but like it or not, we got their personality quirks too. This can be anything from their interesting fashion sense to their picky grocery store selections. Here are some of the unique traits they may have passed on to you.
1. Music preferences
My music preferences are eclectic, to say the least, ranging from indie rap to soda shop classics. This doesn’t make much sense until you meet my father. I grew up with him taking me to school, playing this same music. Whether your mom listened to ’80s country while getting ready for work, or your dad enjoyed R&B while working in the garage, their music tastes probably rubbed off on you.
2. Temperament
Are you more high-strung like your mom? Does it take a lot to stress you out because your dad was super laid-back? You likely learned your stress triggers, or how to play it cool despite the chaos, from the way your parents reacted to life situations.
3. Sense of humor
Maybe humor isn’t how your family communicates, or perhaps it’s the only way they communicate. It could be gut-blowing sarcasm or corny dad jokes, but the laughs you shared around the dinner table have defined your sense of humor. My family quotes lines from “Home Alone” all year-round. It’s a quirky way that we say, “I love you!”
4. Pet peeves
If your mom always told you to close your mouth while chewing, you’re probably a table etiquette pro. And you probably don’t tolerate someone else’s sloppy table “manners.” Your parents taught you to not act on their pet peeves, which likely shaped what you find aggravating.
5. Road rage
I get my road rage from both of my parents. Am I proud of it? No. Nonetheless, these are the adults who taught me to drive, so their driving habits became mine. Odds are, you have your parents’ same temperament in the driver’s seat, especially if you spent a lot of time together in the car when you were growing up.
6. Fashion sense
Did your mom always wear big hoop earrings, or did she love retro scrunchies? Was your dad always in a suit with a neon tie, or was he always sporting a funky windbreaker? Your unique fashion sense was likely influenced by your parents. They were the first people to buy your clothes and teach you to dress, so their fashion preferences shaped your understanding of what to wear.
7. Sports crazes
Maybe you like pole-vaulting because it’s what your dad did in high school, or you watch curling at the Winter Olympics because that’s what your mom always loved. Your quirky athletic crazes are often shaped by what your parents introduced you to.
8. Colloquialisms
I’m from a southern family whose communication centers on colloquialisms: “It’s hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof.” “That’ll go over like a lead balloon.” “Well, bless your heart!” Your parents teach you to talk, so it only makes sense that you adopt the unique sayings they use. (You likely picked up their accent, too.)
9. Hygiene routine
Did your mom continually change out the soap dispenser to fit the latest holiday? Did your father have to spray both underarms with deodorant seven times? Your hygiene routine was shaped by your parents, and some of their quirks or hang-ups are now probably yours. (This usually becomes evident once a roommate or spouse looks at you and says, “What’s your deal with ___?”)
10. Food pickiness
Maybe you can’t stand crunchy peanut butter because your PB&Js were always creamy and smooth. And why would you use strawberry jam if you grew up in a grape jelly world? Our food quirks—the itty-bitty details of what makes us picky or not—are influenced by our parents, the very people who shaped our food pallet.
11. Knack for academics
My mom was a reading teacher, so my sister and I now discuss Pride & Prejudice as casually as one would discuss the weather. Perhaps your family is full of engineers and scientists, so calculus is casual dinner conversation. Whether it’s genetics, household influence, or both, your family’s knack for certain subjects created your academic foundation and shaped some of the quirky parts of your intellect.
12. Unique hobbies
Do you collect medieval swords because your dad did? Can you crochet a blanket blindfolded because your mom taught you? Often, our parents’ hobbies were shared with us as we grew up. If we have fun memories surrounding them, we likely adopted the hobbies and passed them on to our children.
13. Travel destinations
My husband’s family is scattered throughout the United States, so he is well-traveled in places from New York City to Las Vegas. All of my family lives within a 30-minute radius of each other, so I spent most of my days traveling to the same beach every year. I never flew anywhere because my parents hated flying. My husband flew everywhere because his family hated driving. The unique places we travel, or the quirky ways we like to travel, can be impacted by how we grew up.
14. Relationship with animals
My dad had pet spiders, which disgusted/traumatized me as a child. To this day, I have a serious hang-up with arachnids. Maybe you love lizards because you grew up watching your dad care for them. Maybe your gerbil cage has to have 50 tunnels because that’s how your mom designed your hamster cages growing up. Quirky pet preferences often come from your childhood.
15. Body language
Do you talk with your hands, always animated? Do you sway side to side with your arms crossed? Often, children watch their parents’ body language and naturally imitate it as they grow up. Whether we like it or not, we will likely hear someone say, “You’re acting just like your mom!” or “That look is a mirror image of your father!”
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