Rediscovering the Differences in My Daughters' Personalities Through Parent-Teacher Conferences [Parenting Diary]

The other day, the parent-teacher conferences for my two daughters came to an end.

Even though they are sisters raised in the same home,
the stories I heard from their teachers were completely opposite.

It made me realize once again, "Personalities really are so different."

My eldest daughter is the type who tries hard when she's out.

My eldest daughter was nothing but praised by her teacher.

"She is very polite."
"She helps friends who are in trouble."
"She speaks to others with kindness."

At the end, the teacher asked,
"There is nothing in particular she is struggling with at school. On the contrary, is there anything you are struggling with at home?"
That was when I shared how she is at home.

Because she works so hard at kindergarten,

she sometimes has tantrums at home.
She also gets into intense fights with her younger sister.

The teacher looked quite surprised.

I'm sure my eldest daughter


is working hard at kindergarten as the "responsible big sister."Perhaps because of that, she feels safe enough to show her true self at home.

My second daughter is the type who is herself everywhere.

On the other hand, my second daughter.

Along with the teacher saying,

"She is bright and kind,"

there were also comments like,

"She clearly states when she doesn't like something."
"She sometimes clashes with her friends."

"That's the same as at home.

I am truly sorry if she is causing any trouble."


Whether at home or at daycare,she doesn't change, for better or worse.
I thought that she is the type who has no hidden side and just spends her time being herself.

It's not that one is good and the other is bad.

My eldest daughter who tries hard outside.

My second daughter who is herself everywhere.



They are polar opposites, butboth are true to who they are.
I felt that parent-teacher conferences are not just a time to hear about what they "can or cannot do,"

but a time to learn what kind of face our children wear when they are out in the world.
There is a side of them I don't see at home,

and a side of them that isn't seen at school.
By knowing both,

I feel I can understand my children even better.
It's amazing how different even sisters can be.