Another subtle yet consistent difference I've noticed between boys and girls is the way they prepare to go outside in the cold weather. Here's how each child gets ready to leave the house.
Maria: Puts shoes on, carefully tightening laces, tying a perfect bow, and making sure the tails don't hang over the edge of the shoe. Then she puts on her coat, careful to not mess up her hair. She situates the coat on her shoulders and makes certain that all layers underneath (and there are always carefully chosen layers) are laying perfectly flat and cause no discomfort. Then she goes about zipping the double zippers, which always must both be zipped even if we are in a hurry (seriously, the house might be on fire but she would have both zippers done). When all is perfect with the coat she gets her backpack on (which actually goes on easily and quickly), picks up her lunch off the counter, and heads to the car (where sometimes Ben has almost gone back to sleep by the time she gets out there). Entire process can take several minutes, but she does it all on her own without being reminded at all.
Sam: Only puts shoes on after being told 20 times. Sometimes is in such a hurry he can't be bothered to undo the one Velcro strap to loosen the shoe, then whines and growls when the shoe won't go on. He throws his coat on, never zips it up, grabs a toy, and gets into the car. Has to be told to go back and get backpack and lunch, since he is going to school. Entire process, once started, takes about 30 seconds, tops.
So you can imagine how this difference can hold us up when we need to go somewhere. As usual, the perfect child, in my eyes, would be a compromise somewhere between these two routines. But we've accepted we can't change the habits, so we just learn to work with them. I do a lot of standing around with my coat on, waiting to leave. I just hate to add putting boots on to this scenario when the snow starts to fall.
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