Every child is unique: A parent's perspective on sibling comparisons

THERE'S this myth — this unshakable parenting legend - that the second child, especially if it’s another boy, is automatically going to be the wild one.

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The one who climbs the furniture, flushes your car keys, and paint the dog in colours.

Well, I’m here to report live from my very real living room: not true.

My second-born son is one year old — and so far, he’s the calmest presence in our home.

Genuinely. This little soul is gentle, patient, and quite content to play quietly while I cook or sip on a (let’s be honest, cold) cup of tea. He observes more than he acts. He thinks before he leaps. And yes, he’s a boy — a second boy — which apparently makes this even more shocking to some people.

“Just wait,” they say, with knowing smiles. “The second one is always the wild one.”

Right. I’m still waiting.