kids personality

House Hufflepuff

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L
Photo Credit: Pinterest

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil… – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Oh, those good‑natured Hufflepuffs. The Sorting Hat isn’t looking for brilliance, boldness, or cunning in this house; it’s looking for character. Hufflepuff welcomes those whose goodness is steady, practical, and dependable, even when they show it quietly. A young witch or wizard is sorted here when their core qualities reflect the traits Helga Hufflepuff appreciated most:

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House Ravenclaw

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L
Photo credit: Pinterest

…Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.  – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

A young witch or wizard is sorted into Ravenclaw when their mind is their defining feature. It’s not just about intelligence, but the way they think, question, create, and approach the world. Ravenclaw traits show up early and consistently, even if the child isn’t academically “gifted” in the traditional sense. The house’s founder, Rowena Ravenclaw, prized the following traits:

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House Gryffindor

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L
Photo Credit: Pinterest

People love personality quizzes because they make identity feel simpler and more understandable. Like all true Millennials, Patti and I have mapped out our Enneagrams, Myers-Briggs, astrological sign, the list goes on and on. So to keep it fun this Halloween, we picked a truly controversial topic: What Hogwarts House is my kid in?

Most of us fans were placed in our houses years ago thanks to the official Pottermore quiz, but our kids are just getting into the Wizarding World and just beginning to explore who they are.

…There’s nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can’t see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be. – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

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Double, Double, Toil and Trouble: Twin Identities

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Aunt Agatha: I have Lynn!
Kelly Farmer: I’m Kelly!
Aunt Agatha: Oh, whoever. I have your sister! If you care about her, you’ll give yourself up now!

Twins are often seen as a packaged deal, especially if they are identical. You can’t say Mary-Kate without thinking about Ashley Olsen, or Tia and Tamara Mowry. Even my own twins are known at school simply as “the twins” or “H and K.”

Mix-ups and mistaken identities are common; and while they may seem harmless, these moments subtly shape how twins see themselves and relate to others. That’s why it’s so important for parents to recognize each twin as a unique individual, with their own personality, behavior, and strengths. This isn’t always easy as physical resemblance, emotional closeness, and family dynamic can make individuality harder to nurture. Factor in the reality that they’ve had a constant companion since the womb, and the journey toward individuality becomes even more layered.

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Child(ish) Reads: A+ Parenting

| Patti Webb

Of course for Back-to-School month we’re reviewing a school(ish) book. This one thankfully is a much more productive read than last year’s. I received an advance copy of A+ Parenting via NetGalley. Technically the book came out in October 2023, so I hope NetGalley will forgive my tragically late feedback.

A+ Parenting: The Surprisingly Fun Guide to Raising Surprisingly Smart Kids by Eva Moskowitz, with Eric Grannis.

Summary: Eva Moskowitz has built a national reputation as the founder and leader of Success Academy Charter Schools, one of the country’s most highly regarded networks of schools. But while most people know Eva for her success in educating 20,000 mainly low-income students who are routinely accepted to our nation’s best universities, she has also been responsible for raising three children of her own. In A+ Parenting, Eva shares what she has learned both as a parent and an educator about raising children to be enthusiastic and successful learners.

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