Extra Credit Questions

[Gene C]

I'm not a child psychiatrist, but I have watched a lot of the Bob Newhart Show and Frazier.

My guess is Lincoln probably experienced both a very stern discipline style from his father and a more loving, less critical style from his mother and step mother. It appears from what we have read, he may have personally preferred the softer discipline style when dealing with Tad.

In addition, we know Mary had some health issues that contributed to her more excitable behavior. It is also possible Tad inherited these traits, and learned some others from his mother, and Lincoln recognized this and was more lenient in dealing with his behavior.
(I don't always believe what Herndon says.)