Family dynamics, especially parent and child, have a long-lasting impact on how your characters are formed. You don’t have to write a family saga to utilize this insight. It will shape who your character becomes as an adult. It can play a big part in a young adult story world. Even in Science Fiction or Dystopian futures, human traits remain. Childhoods can twist and destroy. A good family can make your hero more lovable and a motivated hero. Mix a character with a good childhood without to give them different world views and definitions of family. Sibling rivalry can be a factor. Who did the parent love more? Who did they connect with? Who did they clash with the most? There are many opportunities to infuse conflict in your plot with parents and children. You can mix parents with different styles. You can craft a complex family dynamic based on their temperaments and needs. As always with any of the traits, you can make them benevolent or malevolent.
The sixteen profiles can be either male or female. I alternated he and she. The character can be a father, mother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, foster family, or other primary caregiver.
This post will focus on the mannequin FRANCIS.
As a parent, Francis is devoted but emotionally distant. He wants his children to be model citizens and will not tolerate deviations from expectations. He is a traditional provider of financial security and a rigid schedule. He isn’t overly social but will attend all the expected events. He isn’t big on gifts and doesn’t offer praise. He expects good behavior. His rigid boundaries can undermine a feeling child’s confidence. He will not tolerate a child breaking a rule. He will instantly punish in inconsistent ways. He defends his children against outsiders and takes any criticism of them personally. He is the alpha and will not tolerate challenges to his authority. Compatible matches are Francis, Cam, Wynn, Arden, and Joss. He argues most with Hadley.
FRANCIS/WYNN
As a child, Wynn is easy to please and seeks approval. She prefers clear consistent rules and Francis will provide them. She needs a secure routine but can’t handle suffocating attention. Francis is distant but may not provide any attention as long as she isn’t stepping out of line. Then it will be negative attention. Wynn does not like being punished for something she didn’t do and Francis is likely to blame her for the slightest infraction. His rules and punishments are inconsistent and that will leave Wynn bewildered and chip away at her confidence. Wynn will not receive the appreciation and emotional connection she needs. While she isn’t a wild child and will try to please Francis, she may never feel that she has. Wynn will suffer silently. Francis won’t notice her suffering and would expect her to just get over it.
FRANCIS/FRANCIS
Francis/Francis: As a child Francis needs order, structure, calm, and a predictable schedule. They are a natural match in this way. Both struggle with overly emotional people. Child Francis is meticulous and puts schoolwork before play and his parent will appreciate that about him. Francis isn’t comfortable with new people and situations and clings to close friends. Francis enjoys situations where he can show off his competence and his parent will be proud of him too. He will be critical if Francis fails. If belittled, Francis sinks into low self-esteem. He can become rigid in the face of uncertainty and can be a bully. Both have the capacity to feed each other’s ego or viciously challenge each other.
FRANCIS/NEVADA
Nevada needs structure, security and personal attention. If he doesn’t get it, he becomes clingy. Francis offers structure but not personal attention. Nevada becomes resentful and angry if he doesn't get the praise he seeks. Francis doesn’t often offer praise. Nevada does what he is expected to do. He follows the rules if fair and reasonable, which makes Francis happy. However, he speaks out against unfairness and is furious when other people break the rules. So long as Francis stays within Nevada’s expected lines, all is fine. However, Nevada will turn against Francis if he lets him down. Nevada becomes willfully obstinate if violated and that can create a war. Nevada struggles to conform to new situations, so as long as Francis keep his life calm, he is fine. If he is forced to move around for work etc., Nevada can turn into a problem child.
FRANCIS/ARDEN
Arden is an active toddler. He likes to experiment and needs constant activity and change. He grows sullen and depressed if deprived of opportunities. He is curious and likes to disassemble things. He is eager to share his findings. He can resort to acting up to get attention or break up the monotony. He will drive Francis mad and will feel stifled under the rules and expectations. Arden isn’t cuddly, which is just as well for Francis. Arden hates standing still and anger Francis. Arden wants to impress and wants to earn those trophies and badges. He wants to excel. Francis will appreciate his determination but may not like Arden’s methods. If he steps out of line for gain, Francis will cover it up. This relationship is rife for misunderstanding and a clash of needs and behavior.
FRANCIS/BLAIR
Blair needs love and nurturing. Francis’s absence and inattention will make her feel lost. Blair needs a solid foundation from which to flit, which seems contradictory to other people. Francis provides a solid foundation but will not appreciate the flitting. Arden is pleasant and kind and nurturing toward others. She makes special gifts and is effusive with affection. This will make Francis uncomfortable. Arden is quiet and plays by herself, inventing her own world. She is artistic and highly sensitive, a daydreamer. She rebels if restricted and resists change. She won’t appreciate loud, people-filled parties and holidays. Francis will not understand this feeling child well if at all. Clashes are bound to happen as Francis attempts to ground her and Blair attempts to free herself from his control.
FRANCIS/DALLAS
Dallas is a restless child. She is suffocated by restrictions or cloying caregivers. She isn’t a cuddler. She is dangerous loose cannon and will try anything. Her attention is fleeting. She doesn’t do anything long enough to master it. She will drive Francis quite mad. Dallas needs to be corralled and Francis will do so in ways that won’t sit well with Dallas. The more he tries to rein her in, the further she pushes the boundaries. Dallas is a ringleader of her siblings or in school. She hates being stuck at a desk listening to other people talk. She forgets to do what she is supposed to. This will embarrass Francis and make him even angrier. He won’t understand why she can’t simply do what she is told. Dallas then becomes a rebellious wild child. Sparks will fly between them. Once free of him, Dallas may never return.
FRANCIS/HADLEY
Hadley is an easy baby. She needs calm, personalized attention. Francis will make her anxious and fretful. Hadley is usually agreeable and enthusiastic. She wants to try everything once but quickly drops it. Francis will be frustrated by this. Dallas wants to be seen and heard and offers deep insights. She shuts down in the face of criticism and Francis’s need to keep her in line is considered. This can eat away at her self-esteem. Dallas will rebel and she can be easily led by friends. Her friendships tend to be fluid, so her interests can be too. This can lead to major clashes with Francis. He won’t understand her wonderlust and she won’t understand his need to be rigid. Their differences could fuel a permanent estrangement.
FRANCIS/SHELBY
Shelby is a quiet baby with a low threshold for excitement. She needs calm and consistent nurturing. Too much handling, moving around, and chaos make her cranky. She cries to escape the torture when caregivers shake her up and show her off. Francis is generally calm but will expect Shelby to play the part assigned to her. Shelby is reserved around new people and bonds with a best friend. Shelby likes playing by herself, with her toys, or with her imaginary friends. She likes to daydream and doodle. She can be a loner. Francis will expect her to go out and do what is expected whether she likes it or not. Shelby hates teams and groups and is highly sensitive to criticism. Francis will criticize and Shelby will turn her pain inward. It could lead to serious emotional issues and even self-harm. They will hurt each other without realizing it. It could lead to a permanently broken bond. Francis could crush her.
FRANCIS/JOSS
Joss is a quiet but busy child. He is a fearless daredevil. He accepts structure and concrete rules but needs flexibility. He asks permission but finds a way around it if told “no.” He grows bored when options are limited. Francis will either secretly admire Joss’s creativity or will be horrified by his shenanigans. Joss likes to take things apart to see how they work, but doesn’t tell anyone what he learns. He gets lost in his hobbies. Joss is a good student, but chafes at rote learning. He gets in trouble for not paying attention or sitting still. Francis will expect Joss to toe the line, but will defend him to the school authorities until he is expelled. Joss tries harder to control his world if it spirals out of control. Francis could be the rock that keeps him grounded or the tether Joss needs to escape.
FRANCIS/KELLY
Kelly is a freedom-loving, active, and cranky baby. If his caregivers crave a consistent schedule, they are out of luck. He transplants easily. Kelly can't sit still and play alone. He craves attention and creates chaos to get it. He won't abide by rules or conform. He will challenge Francis from day one. Francis will attempt to suppress him and it won’t work. Kelly collects friends and needs to be on the move. He wants everything and is there for the show. He doesn’t feel responsible for the consequences. Francis will attempt to make him responsible for the consequences. He is a ringleader of mischief. He needs firm hand, not an iron fist and Francis has two iron fists. Kelly can be self-destructive if thwarted. He learns how to manipulate early and can become a bully. Kelly and Francis are like a match to gasoline. Francis may attempt initially to cover for Kelly, but he will eventually run out of patience.
FRANCIS/GREER
Greer is a happy, easygoing child who likes to explore and plays happily alone. He needs routine and safety and Francis. He asks odd challenging questions and enjoys fantasy, mystery, inventing, and thinking. Francis might not understand his child, but since he isn’t causing him problems, he will be fondly tolerant. Greer can’t handle chaos and hates being fussed over or the center of attention. Luckily, Francis isn’t overly attentive. Greer doubts himself and will take Francis’s criticism hard. It could lead to low-self esteem. Francis will attempt to make Greer confirm until Greer finds the strength to slip away.
FRANCIS/TAYLOR
Taylor needs peace and calm. Chaotic and unpredictable caregivers make her anxious. Overprotective parents suffocate her. Absent or busy caregivers allow her to spiral out of control. Francis’s lack of attention may cost him. Taylor is friendly and values harmony. Pleasing others makes her happy. She may never make Francis happy. Taylor will take charge of her siblings and the playroom. Francis and Taylor may eventually vie for dominance. Taylor is hurt if she senses disapproval or if her efforts are rejected. And Francis is capable of both. Taylor overextends herself by trying to play with everyone and must be reined in. Francis considers reining her in his prime directive. It will lead to a battle of wills.
FRANCIS/CAM
Cam is a quiet, low maintenance child. He won’t ask for anything, even for what he needs. He is good because it’s important to be good not to please others. He expects everyone else to be good too: caregivers, siblings, teachers, and friends. A chaotic or highly dysfunctional family pushes him further inside his shell. Francis will provide the stability Cam needs, but may be too harsh. Cam spends a lot of time daydreaming and thinking. His questioning of authority and probing questions make Francis mad. Cam is self-regulating and responsible. He develops his own belief system and does not conform to what others believe. That may be a problem for traditional Francis. Francis and Cam will battle over right and wrong, belief systems, etc. Francis wants Cam to fall in line. Cam won’t accept Francis’s definition of a line. Cam withdraws to protect and Francis will try harder to control. Cam will never conform to Francis’s belief systems and that could cause permanent estrangement.
FRANCIS/MORGAN
Morgan is a lively baby. He walks, talks, and gets into everything early. He might do them all a little differently. Francis will expect everything to happen on time and in the right way and will be frustrated. Morgan has a lively questioning mind. He is likely to take apart his toys or utilize them in interesting ways. He takes risks and outwits dim caregivers, teachers, or other authority figures. He will irritate Francis and flout the rules. Morgan likes creative projects and follows his unique interests wherever they lead. His penchant for invention is evident early on. Francis may not appreciate his goals and activities. Morgan is outgoing. He likes to orchestrate activities, assign roles, and oversee the progress and is irritated when he doesn't get his way. Francis is infuriated when questioned. Morgan doesn’t like group activities but can be a clown in social situations. Francis will not approve. Morgan will never be like Francis or fall in line or meet expectations. If Morgan is successful in life, it could lead to a lifetime of mixed feelings and misunderstandings.
FRANCIS/LEE
Lee is a high-demand baby. If placed with Francis, she screams until he pays attention to her. She proves exhausting to the most attentive caregiver and Francis isn’t attentive. Lee knows her own mind from the day she can talk and tells you what she wants and does not want. If Francis has different plans and goals for Lee, he is met with stubborn resistance. Lee excels at whatever she chooses to participate in. She is in competition with herself not others, but they might not realize it. Her parents will be largely inconsequential. Lee is a leader on the playground and becomes the enemy of anyone who doesn’t follow along. She is the quintessential queen bee. Francis will defend his daughter when she is criticized by the school and other parents and make excuses, after all his daughter is all about excellence which he expects. To caregivers with Lee’s temperament, Lee is the perfect child. To rigid caregivers, she is a pain. To less intrepid caregivers, she scares them a little. Lee could strike off on her own, compete with her father, or become her father’s replacement in the family business.
FRANCIS/RIVER
River is a quiet baby. She is content to observe the world. A busy, aggressive Francis will make her cry. She needs peace and quiet to thrive. She lives in a dream world most of the time. Francis will not understand what is wrong with her. Francis would have to drag her out into the world and she won’t thank him for it. River has one or two friends. Her emotional skin is thin and Francis’s constant criticism lowers her self-esteem. When she does not rise to his expectations, she may become depressed. River naturally sees the world as treacherous and trust is vital. She hates violence and discord and needs peace and continuity. Francis’s militaristic approach will make Wynn feel unsafe. She won't trust him. If other people think his child is odd, Francis will protect and shield her but silently berate her and River is easily hurt. Her out of the box belief system will frustrate Francis. River can be crushed by Francis or find a way to escape him by finding another family, or a cult.
Next week, we will introduce Nevada.
