OCEAN

In psychology, I find one of the most interesting theories from a parent's point of view to be the Five Factor Model (FFM). Basically, it states that children are born with some quantity of five personality traits. They are: Openness (to new experiences), Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. A parent with good "goodness of fit" will alleviate any negative characteristics. For example, a very disagreeable child will be taught, by good parents, to be more agreeable. A poor goodness of fit will have a neurotic child with an emotionally unstable parent, thus aggravating the neuroticism of the child.

I have never been really open to new experiences. Instead of going to college and playing soccer in Texas, I went to the U, for example. I often choose a safer -- or lazier -- route. At least, this is my perception of me. Therefore, when my kids want to sleep outside at 3 and 5, I want to say no, sleep in your own beds. It will be scary, you will want to come inside, you won't go to sleep.

For the record, I WAS RIGHT.

Not that Zane's openness to new experiences that encourages him to say "yes, get a sleeping bag" is bad. In fact, I think it's really good. It pushes both me and the kids to open ourselves up to things we might not otherwise do. But last night, Mama was right. Boo ya.