Sometimes it takes me AGES to make a decision. Especially when I have to choose from a whole heap of perfectly good choices.

I can take a very long time to decide what I want. I have to consider all the pros and cons, imagine the consequences for each choice, go back and forth all my options, think and rethink.

Then I get frustrated and think WHY DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE ANYWAY? WHY CAN’T I HAVE BOTH?

It’s one of my most distinctive personality traits. One that I’m constantly working on. I wouldn’t call it a BAD thing. It just slows me down sometimes.

I am proud to say that I’m definitely getting much better at it. Decision making, that is. Working out what is actually important. Working out what I want, in an appropriate amount of time.

And I’ve forced myself to do this, because… my 5yo seems to be exactly the same.

If we’re at the shops, and my kids are behaving like angels, I might spontaneously announce that I will buy them a little chocolate bar! And they get to choose!

My 3yo will, like a frog’s tongue catching a fly, snatch the first thing that looks like a chocolate bar - no decision making skills needed. Then he’ll immediately try to tear it open, while I yelp, “No wait! We have to pay for it first!”

My 5yo will stand still and ponder. I swear, he will look at every single chocolate bar on the whole shelf. Carefully making his way from left to right. First shelf, second shelf, third shelf. He will slowly ask questions about the colours and the words and the possible contents of each and every packet. He will go back and forth, umming and ahhing. He might choose one, but then swap it for another, and then another. Then he’ll put them all down and start again. And then he’ll ask if he can choose two instead?

Obviously, it drives me crazy. I think, “ARGH, it’s a curse! He’s just like me!”

So I’m torn between using my own experience in dealing with my indecision, to teach him how to over come it. Or to just let him be his own person – to work things out for himself.

It’s a hard call.

Because if he’s anything like me, and he is, he will instantly rebel against or get angry with anything I try to push on him. Whether it’s a loving suggestions or a firm rule to guide him – it will backfire.

So I stand back and watch history repeat itself.

Which, yes I know, it’s quite tragic.

But if he’s anything like me, and he is, it’s the only way he’ll learn.

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