Obsession: Nature or Nurture

Cathryn lately has had quite the obsession with Phantom of the Opera. She's loved it since she was about three, but now it's really bad. Josie-levels of obsession bad. So bad, that I gave her my soundtrack to play in her room so I don't have to hear it on the car anymore. Also, she's been playing dress-up as Christine (the lead character in Phantom), and the other night she told me that she had a dream where the first graders at Maryville Elementary put on a production of Phantom. Naturally, Cathryn played Christine.

So I began to wonder--is obsession born or is obsession bred?

I will be the first person to admit that I am obsessive. Richie and I joke all the time that it's a good thing that I don't drink and have never tried drugs--I'd probably be hooked immediately, and spend most of my life in rehab. But even with that knowledge, did Cathryn learn obsessiveness by watching me, or is it in her blood?

And for that matter, how do I try to teach her the difference between having a healthy enjoyment of something and being obsessive when I can't do it myself?

The mind boggles. Maybe I'll WebMD it or something.

Toodles!