I think she gets it from me

Mama Turg - 29 Apr 17

I am the Mum to two gorgeous, fiery tempered, loving, stubborn redheads. I was the blonde blue eyed child and my husband is part Hungarian, so imagine a very much dark haired rugged beast. You could only imagine our surprise six years ago when our first beautiful ginger came flying into the world.

“Where does their hair come from?” people ask us. “Eee, that’s rare that he has the blue eyes too, they’ re the ones you need to watch”, they wink (For what? I ask myself). Old dears with a grey shampoo and set often stop us to reminisce and say how much their hair was like it, and add “oh, I bet they have a temper on them”, of course, with agreement I add, “absolutely”, but then think to myself I think every child has an astounding temper despite the shade of their lovely locks.  They do get so many compliments, its actually quite remarkable and over the years I hear the same things and just smile and nod along. The truth is, I have  no clue how I ended up with two red headed little people. As soon as the sun comes out I make a dash for the factor 50, of course, they obviously have the fair skin to match.

Despite their similar hair colour, they are so different, chalk and cheese. More recently my sister keeps commenting on how watching my little boy is just like watching his dad. The way he walks, moves, ponders over things with so much thought.   He absorbs everything, he is chilled and a gentle soul (don’t be fooled, this little guy does have his moments). Yesterday we went for a walk and he sat down (most of the time this is because he is very lazy) and he said ‘look at the view’. Ironically, when the hubby takes his time and is digesting everything, it drives me crazy! We are always waiting for him, in the supermarket, leaving the house, you name it…waiting for Daddy. So this lack of urgency and laid back vibe that I see in both the boys in my life amazes me at how endearing it is in my son and how irritating I find it in my husband. Nonetheless, I can see the make up of his Dad within Ralph.

And her? well, My girl… she can lose her shit! She is a perfectionist, determined, particular and thats just the way she finds things need to be. I hold my hands up, I can be a tad obsessive at home, and like things to be a certain way. Not my best feature, I will openly admit! Florence is wonderfully creative, enthusiastic and frighteningly intelligent for six “let me spell this backwards for you”, she insists. She keeps her emotions deeper than Ralph, I already see this in her. Since becoming a Mum, I have become more outward with my emotions. I am more affectionate and forthcoming with hugs and kisses, its just within you constantly, (admittedly harder to see when they insist they absolutely cannot put on their own socks and we all have to be out of the house in 5 minutes). I find it easier to just express if I’m happy or pissed off. So I am keen to watch over this side of her and nurture it to ensure she grows to express openly and hopefully confide in me.

Its amazing how your children develop their own little characters; full of personality with Daddy’s eyes and Mummy’s nose, his patience, my perseverance. They really are a blend of our best bits, yet still with a sprinkling of themselves. Even Daddy’s snail pace, although dreadfully annoying, means he is thorough. And my regimental attitude helps keep things organised, we all have an ironed uniform and homework is is on time.

We all want to claim that our children get their best bits from us. They both have big wide feet just like Daddy, which I know Flo will detest in twelve years when she is trying to cram them into stilettos. And I will assume it’s this she hates and not the fact she has inherited Mummy’s large size 8’s, on the flip side she can share my shoes.

So the next time I am stopped in the supermarket and I am asked the red hair question, I am going to reply with; “Actually, extensive research conducted by BritainsDNA has found that more than 40% of the population carry the mutated MC1R gene that’s responsible for red hair. So in fact, both parents must carry the gene to be able to spawn a ginger baby, which lies at 25% if they’re not ginger themselves, but still carry the secret gene…But she gets her dance moves from me!”

Mama Turg

Mum of two, qualified teacher with a love of homes and interiors, 5'7, who enjoys light hearted reading; seeking platform to start blogging. Make mine a glass of Malbec.

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