Your child’s disposition may explain a lot about family conflicts.

Research based on the New York Longitudinal Study which followed a group of children from birth to adulthood, found that the personalities of little ones could be put in three categories: easy, difficult and “slow to warm up”.

The study found that a good fit between children and parents happens when adult expectations are in line with a child’s natural behaviour.

Researchers found that conflicts resulting from a poor fit between parent and child could become better if parenting practices were changed.