16 Parents and Children Joss

In previous posts, I covered sixteen lovers and sixteen heroes and villains (link below). In the upcoming months, we are going to use the mannequins from Story Building Blocks and do a deep dive on what each character is like as a parent and how they deal with the other characters as children.

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 JOSS.

Joss is flexible and easy-going as a parent. He hates being controlled and isn't interested in controlling his children. He is emotionally reserved but likes to show off. He can be a hero, a jokester, or a reckless criminal. He wants his children to have a good time, but his high octane pursuits might not be fun for them. Joss ignores bad behavior. He can be just as bad as they are. Joss doesn’t do routine or chores. He admires physical prowess and encourages risk taking. He does not praise or offer loving affirmations. Joss is unconventional and doesn’t care if his children conform. He doesn’t offer his opinion and expects his children to police themselves and solve their own problems. He can administer discipline but he normally laughs at their shenanigans. He avoids confrontation until they violate a core value and he punishes with cutting criticism. Natural matches: Joss communicates best with Joss, Greer, Kelly, Blair, and Francis. He argues most with Taylor.

JOSS/WYNN

Wynn is an easy child. She seeks approval and needs a secure routine with clear consistent rules. She won’t get that with Joss. His inconsistent rules and cutting criticism will hurt her deeply and make her anxious. When stressed, Wynn suffers silently and Joss won’t notice. This is a pretty disastrous pairing for Wynn. He is likely to make her life turbulent and cut her in a thousand tiny ways for not being the brave outgoing child he likes hanging out with. Joss could easily become an absent parent who doesn’t understand this child and doesn’t seek them out for a relationship.

JOSS/FRANCIS

Francis needs order, structure, calm, and a predictable schedule. He is not comfortable with new people or situations. Joss will be a nightmare parent. Francis likes to show off his competence but it might not be in ways Joss respects. Francis may feel he never measures up to his inconsistent father and it can result in low self-esteem. Francis becomes more rigid the more chaotic life becomes. He will turn against Joss easily. Joss will dislike this judgmental kid. Francis can be an enforcer type. Joss could easily tip the scale for Francis to become a bully or the downfall of Joss’s criminal enterprise.

JOSS/NEVADA

Nevada needs structure, security, and personal attention. If he doesn’t get it, he becomes clingy. He craves acceptance and is eager to please. Joss will not like the clinging. Nevada will feel rejected. Nevada becomes resentful and angry if he doesn't get the praise he seeks and Joss doesn’t believe in praise. Nevada does what is expected and follows the rules if they are fair and reasonable. Joss probably won’t be fair or reasonable. Nevada will argue with Joss over everything. He is likely to resent Joss’s inconsistency and turn against Joss. They could end up loathing each other. Nevada can become just as hard to control as Joss in the right circumstances. Nevada could be the weak link in Joss’s family, but one who can do the most damage.

JOSS/ARDEN

Arden is an active toddler. He likes to experiment and needs constant activity and change. Arden isn’t a snuggler. He hates standing still and that can be exhausting for most parents but Joss isn’t most parents. Arden grows sullen and depressed if deprived of opportunities and Joss will provide plenty of opportunity. They could become best buddies. Arden likes to disassemble things. He is eager to share his findings. The two of them will likely make each more outrageous. Arden wants to impress and wants to earn those trophies and badges. He wants to excel. He can resort to acting up to get attention or break up the monotony. The two can grow close over their various interests. Both are likely to be on the irresponsible side. Joss likely won’t give Arden the praise he needs. That could become a point of contention.

JOSS/BLAIR

Blair needs love and nurturing. Joss being an absent, inattentive, or busy caregiver makes her feel lost. She needs a solid foundation from which to flit and Joss isn’t it. Blair resists change. She is quiet and plays by herself, inventing her own world. She is artistic and highly sensitive, a daydreamer. She is pleasant and kind and nurturing toward others. Joss is off doing work, hobbies, or going on adventures. He won’t give Blair much of anything she needs. He won’t give her the affection or praise she needs. Joss will try to push her out of her comfort zone and she will resent him for it. Blair may be confused on the rare occasions Joss notices her. She won’t trust him and will probably get away from him as soon as possible. That partially depends on the other caregivers involved.

JOSS/ DALLAS

Dallas is a restless child. She is suffocated by restrictions or cloying caregivers. She isn’t a cuddler. She is a dangerous loose cannon and will try anything. She needs to be corralled and Joss is likely to encourage her to be more outrageous. Both of them thrive on adventure and trying new things. Joss will like this child. Dallas is a ringleader of her siblings or in school. Her attention is fleeting. She doesn’t do anything long enough to master it. Neither does Joss and he will support her subversiveness. Dallas hates being stuck at a desk listening to other people talk. She forgets to do what she is supposed to. If unchecked, and Joss won’t corral her, she becomes a very wild child. Dallas is likely to be a part of whatever game Joss has going. If he is a ganster, she is his lieutenant. Neither will be highly successful because they aren’t going to stick with anything long enough to gain prowess.

JOSS/ HADLEY

Hadley is an easy baby. She needs calm, personalized attention. Joss is busy and aggressive and will make her anxious and fretful. Hadley can be agreeable and enthusiastic, but she isn’t the wild card Joss is. They share a desire to try everything once. Hadley quickly drops out and both move on to the next challenge. Dallas wants to be seen and heard and offers deep insights. She shuts down in the face of criticism and everything is criticism. Josh is only critical when a deep value has been violated. They should muddle along fairly well. Joss will enjoy Hadley’s willingness to try things. Since Hadley is easily led, Joss will be the one to push her and cheer her on. Hadley hates leaving friends even though her friendships tend to be fluid. Joss could make their lives turbulent. They could move frequently, forcing Hadley to keep starting over. They will probably muddle along together, though Hadley will not get the attention she needs. She may act out to try to get what she needs from Joss.

JOSS/ 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. Joss will be the opposite of what she needs. Joss tends to be on the move and will find ways to avoid being in charge of her. Shelby likes playing by herself, with her toys, or with her imaginary friends. She likes to daydream and doodle. She hates teams and groups and is highly sensitive to criticism. Joss will find her boring. Shelby won’t join in his endeavors or fun. As Josh becomes absent, Shelby turns her pain inward. She is reserved around new people and bonds with a best friend. She can be a loner. Shelby could end up being raised by a single parent, relative, or nanny, leaving her feeling abandoned and in need of a replacement parent figure.

JOSS/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. A Joss/Joss pairing is usually successful. They are likely to be found trying things and going on adventures together. Both like to take things apart to see how they work. They can both get lost in hobbies. Child Joss is a good student, but chafes at rote learning. He gets in trouble for not paying attention or sitting still. Parent Joss will agree with his child and find the school to be the problem. Parent Joss could even encourage child Joss to leave school and learn from the school of life. They could push each other to bigger challenges. Both try harder to control their world if it spirals out of control. And given their temperaments, losing is control is a serious option. They can be lifelong buddies, never really doing harm. Or, they could be a parent child crime ring.

JOSS/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. Joss is likely to provide the stimulation Kelly craves. Kelly doesn’t abide by rules or conform and neither does Joss. Kelly finds an ally in this parent. Kelly collects friends and needs to be on the move. He is a ringleader of mischief. He needs firm hand, not an iron fist. Joss isn’t a firm hand. They are both likely to make mistakes that can be life altering. Kelly learns how to manipulate early and can become a bully. Kelly could become more outrageous than Joss. Kelly can be self-destructive if thwarted. They could be best buddies if more moderate. Or they could have a grudge match to the death in a test of wills.

JOSS/GREER

Greer is easy-going and likes to explore. He happily plays alone. He is curious and asks odd challenging questions. They might bond over this. Greer enjoys fantasy, mystery, inventing, and thinking. Joss likes tinkering himself. Whereas Greer likes to become proficient, Joss will lose interest and move on. Greer is not interested in being fussed over or the center of attention. Joss appreciates self-regulating Greer. Though, Greer can't handle chaos and needs routine and safety. Josh’s natural chaotic tendencies will make Greer feel unsafe. Joss won’t understand this quiet thinker. Greer won’t be up for Joss’s shenanigans. Joss could make Greer doubt himself and Greer takes criticism hard. Greer might take Joss’s attempts to pull him in to his world as criticism. There is potential for finding some common ground with this pairing. If you push them in opposite directions, they may break all bonds or at least have a lifetime of misunderstanding.

 JOSS/TAYLOR

Taylor needs peace and needs calm. Chaotic and unpredictable Joss makes her anxious. Taylor is friendly and values harmony. Pleasing others makes her happy. She will work hard to please adventurous Joss though he is scant with praise. It can make Taylor insecure. Taylor takes charge of playroom and siblings. She could either wrap Joss around her little finger or they could vie for dominance. Taylor is hurt by disapproval or if her efforts are rejected. That could easily happen with Joss. Taylor overextends herself by trying to play with everyone and must be reined in. Joss is likely to push her to ever greater antics. If Joss is busy and distant, Taylor could easily spiral out of control. They could find themselves on the same side or be in opposition. Taylor will be a vindictive opponent.

JOSS/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. Cam might not consider chaotic busy Joss to be “good.” Joss will appreciate self-regulating Cam. A chaotic or highly dysfunctional family pushes Cam further inside his shell. He spends a lot of time daydreaming and thinking. His questioning of authority and probing questions make adults squirm. Joss will be relieved that Cam doesn’t ask for much of him but he will find this quite thinker odd. The more outrageous Joss is, the more Cam will withdraw to protect. Joss could lose contact with Cam entirely. Cam develops his own belief system and does not conform to what others believe. Cam would probably turn Joss in for breaking the law.

JOSS/MORGAN

Morgan is a lively baby. He walks, talks, and gets into everything early. He might do them all a little differently. Caregivers who expect everything to happen on time and in the right way are frustrated. Morgan can be a clown. Joss might enjoy this fun-loving kid. Morgan has a lively questioning mind. He takes risks and outwits dim caregivers, teachers, or other authority figures. Joss and Morgan could end up thick as thieves. Morgan likes creative projects and follows his unique interests wherever they lead. His penchant for invention is evident early on. Morgan and Joss share this quality. They could explore the world or hobbies together. Morgan is outgoing. He likes to orchestrate activities, assign roles, and oversee the progress. Morgan is irritated when he doesn't get his way. This pairing is likely to go well unless they find themselves on opposite sides. They could be lifelong best friends. But if one turns against the other, it will be an interesting battle of wit and will.

JOSS/LEE

Lee is a high-demand baby. If placed with absent or self-absorbed Joss, she screams until someone pays attention to her. Lee exhausting to the most attentive caregiver. She knows her own mind from the day she can talk and tells you what she wants and does not want. Clashes are ahead for Joss and Lee. Lee can be stubbornly resistant to instructions. Lee excels at whatever she chooses to participate in. She is in competition with herself not others, but they might not realize it. She is a leader on the playground and becomes the enemy of anyone who doesn’t follow along. She is the quintessential queen bee. There could be a battle for dominance with these two. If Lee violates Joss’s core value, there could be war. Joss will be cutting and critical and Lee will plan his downfall.

JOSS/RIVER

River is a quiet baby. She is content to observe the world. Busy, aggressive, and outgoing Joss will make her cry. She needs peace and quiet to thrive. She lives in a dream world most of the time. Joss may try dragging her kicking and screaming to play groups or to the playground. They are opposites. River has one or two friends. Her emotional skin is thin. The world is treacherous and trust is vital. Joss’s natural chaotic approach to life will make her feel more insecure and less trusting. River hates violence and discord. She needs peace and continuity. While she won’t openly go to war with Joss, she will quietly slip away and Joss won’t understand where he went wrong or how a child could be so different. She will resent that Joss didn’t provide her with a safe, nurturing home life. She will go looking for safety elsewhere.

Next week, we will introduce KELLY.

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