16 Parents and Children Cam

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 CAM.

Cam’s goal is to raise his children to be independent, educated, and self-sufficient. He prefers life to be orderly and planned. He is irritated by children who dither or can't take care of routine tasks. He isn’t interested in keeping up with the neighbors or doing things just because everyone else is doing them. He won’t support his children if they want to. He challenges his children’s decisions to make sure they have thought the situation through all the way. He isn’t big on praise because he doesn’t need it. He admires competence. He offers wise guidance and loving affirmations. His intellectual distraction may be misinterpreted as a sign he doesn’t care. He is passionate for the few he loves, but needs his space. He expects his children to need their space. He has low social needs and struggles with an extroverted child. He shrugs off their struggles with peer pressure. He advises them to be true to themselves and forget everyone else. Cam offers logical critique in place of emotional outbursts. He wants to prevent what went wrong from happening again. He expects his children to be self-regulating and set their own high standards. Cam does not handle rebellion well. A wild child may lose his respect and never get it back. Cam represses displeasure until a core value is violated. His response is swift and cutting. Cam is naturally drawn to Cam, River, Francis, Lee, and Greer. His opposite is Dallas.

CAM/WYNN

Wynn is easy to please and seeks approval. She needs clear consistent rules and a secure routine. Cam provides those things. Wynn can’t handle suffocating attention or inconsistent rules. Cam’s distance might be too remote. Cam is fair but communicates with logic and reason. He may miss the emotional undertones. Wynn hates being punished for things she didn’t do. She may take Cam’s approach in the wrong way. Since Wynn is a fairly balanced, well-behaved child, they should muddle along fairly well. Wynn may struggle with Cam’s logical advice and analysis of emotional situations. Wynn wants to fit in and find acceptance. Cam won’t be of much use to her there. When stressed, Wynn suffers in silence and Cam may not notice. It’s not a high-conflict relationship, but it may not be close and warm enough for Wynn.

CAM/FRANCIS

Francis needs order, structure, calm, and a predictable schedule. He is not comfortable with new people or situations. He clings to close friends. Cam is the perfect parent in that regard. Francis likes group events where he can show off his competence. If his competence is questioned frequently, it results in low self-esteem. Cam doesn’t care about awards and praise and won’t be supportive in that regard. They could have a rift in that regard. Francis becomes rigid in the face of uncertainty and could be a bully. He struggles with overly emotional people. He is meticulous and puts schoolwork before play. This isn’t the worst pairing. Both are self-regulating and meticulous. Cam will approve of Francis being a self-regulating person. Francis may not feel supported enough and may find Cam too distant and uninvolved. Francis isn’t going to get the praise he seeks. It may be a case of mutual lack of respect.

CAM/NEVADA

Nevada needs structure, security, and personal attention. He won’t get a lot of personal attention from Cam and may become clingy. Nevada craves acceptance and is eager to please. He does what he is expected to do. Cam is relieved by this. Nevada shouldn’t require much of his time. Nevada follows the rules if fair and reasonable. He speaks out against unfairness. He is furious when other people break the rules. He will turn against his parents if they let him down. Cam is a usually a stable person. Nevada struggles to conform to new situations. He becomes willfully obstinate if violated. You could push both to either extreme, but in general this is a peaceful pairing. Nevada can become resentful and angry if he doesn't get the praise he seeks and Cam is light on praise. If Nevada pushes the boundaries to get attention, it will backfire.

CAM/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. Arden will prove a challenge for Cam who wants the child to just do what he is supposed to without close supervision. Arden isn’t a snuggler. He hates standing still and that can be exhausting. He wants to impress and wants to earn those trophies and badges. Cam could not care less about badges and trophies. They will have conflict in this area. Cam won’t understand why recognition is important and Arden will feel resentful that Cam isn’t giving him the rewards he needs. Arden wants to excel. He can resort to acting up to get attention or break up the monotony. When he does, it will backfire. Cam is likely to turn against a wild child. He is short on patience with shenanigans.

CAM/BLAIR

Blair needs love and nurturing. If Cam is absent, inattentive or busy, Blair will feel lost. She needs a solid foundation from which to flit. Cam won’t have patience with the flitting. Blair is quiet and plays by herself, inventing her own world. She is artistic and highly sensitive, a daydreamer. They are complementary in that regard. Cam will support Blair’s interests. Blair is pleasant and kind and nurturing toward others. She makes special gifts. She may not get the validation she needs. Cam will love her but is so often absorbed in his work and obligations he doesn’t take the time to devote to her emotional needs. Blair rebels if restricted and resists change. Cam isn’t overly demanding but he does expect her to behave. If Blair gets out of control, Cam won’t respond well. They could struggle to show each other love in the way the other needs, leading to a life of misunderstanding. The more Blair spirals, the more disgusted Cam will become.

CAM/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. Cam will be irritated that she can’t just behave and be calm. Dallas is a ringleader of her siblings or in school. Her attention is fleeting. She doesn’t do anything long enough to master it. She hates being stuck at a desk listening to other people talk. She forgets to do what she is supposed to. This will irritate Cam to no end. He hates having to waste time making children do what is expected. He doesn’t ask for much, only that they are self-regulated. Dallas may feel she can never live up to Cam’s standards and her self-esteem will suffer. Dallas needs a firm guide, and Cam may fail her there. If unchecked, Dallas becomes a very wild child and loses Cam’s respect.

CAM/HADLEY

Hadley is an easy baby. She needs calm, personalized attention. Cam is an affectionate but distant parent. Hadley may be too needy for him. Hadley agreeable and enthusiastic. She wants to try everything once but quickly drops it. She wants to be seen and heard and offers deep insights. Cam will be irritated by her lack of follow-through. He can be cutting in his criticism. Hadley shuts down in the face of criticism and everything is criticism. She is easily led and hates leaving friends even though her friendships tend to be fluid. Cam isn’t generally unstable. Work might force him to move, but he is in general reliable and hardworking. He errs on the side of being too hands off. If Hadley seeks attention from people who lead her astray, Cam might cut her off rather than save her.

CAM/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. She is in luck with Cam. He will provide the calm nurturing environment and has no desire to parade her around for social approval. Shelby likes playing by herself, with her toys, or with her imaginary friends. She likes to daydream and doodle. She hates teams and groups. This is another way they are highly compatible. Cam will encourage her independent hobbies and interests. Shelby is highly sensitive to criticism and she may take Cam’s analytical responses as criticism. He thinks he is simply pointing out what went wrong and how to fix it. Shelby turns her pain inward and Cam won’t even know what he said wrong. Shelby is reserved around new people and bonds with a best friend. She can be a loner. This is not a high conflict match up. It could be a million tiny cuts instead. Both being similar, yet finding fault with the other. Cam might be too hands off. Shelby might rebel to get attention.

CAM/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. Cam won’t appreciate the daring do if it goes too far. He expects Joss to toe the line. Joss takes things apart to see how they work, but doesn’t tell anyone what he learns. He gets lost in his hobbies. They are both guilty of that. Joss is a good student, but chafes at rote learning. He gets in trouble for not paying attention or sitting still. This will disappoint Cam. He can seem cutting and harsh when explaining what needs to happen and how Joss needs to improve. Joss tries harder to control his world if it spirals out of control. Cam isn’t one to make life too bumpy, but Joss could take Cam’s criticism to heart and act out in response. His self-esteem could take a hit. He could become overly risk-taking to prove himself.

CAM/KELLY

Kelly is a freedom-loving, active, and cranky baby. If Cam craves 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. This is a nightmare child for Cam who expects Kelly to behave on his own. Cam will be irritated and will soon turn against this wild child. Kelly collects friends and needs to be on the move. He is a ringleader of mischief. He needs firm hand, not an iron fist. Cam is likely to club him for being such a pain in the butt. Kelly can be self-destructive if thwarted and is likely to act out in rebellion. He won’t respect Cam’s steady logical demeanor. The more Cam retreats into icy disapproval, the worse Kelly becomes. He learns how to manipulate early and can become a bully. Cam won’t put up with his shenanigans for long. It would likely end in a lifetime rift that can’t be mended.

CAM/GREER

Greer is happy, easy going, and likes to explore. He happily plays alone. He can't handle chaos and needs routine and safety which Cam provides. Greer asks odd challenging questions. He enjoys fantasy, mystery, inventing, and thinking. He is pretty close to Cam’s idea child. Cam will support Greer’s solo endeavors. Greer isn’t interested in being fussed over or the center of attention. Cam is a reasonable, logical, drama-free parent which is what Greer needs. Greer can doubt himself and takes criticism hard. If he displeases Cam, he may take the criticism to heart and lose self esteem. It would take a lot to make these two hate each other. They could simply drift off into separate spheres, rarely in each other’s orbit.

CAM/TAYLOR

Taylor is a peaceful child and needs calm. Cam is the steady presence she needs. Taylor is friendly and values harmony. Pleasing others makes her happy. Cam is affectionate but may not express enough appreciation. Taylor takes charge of playroom and siblings. As long as she doesn’t push things too far, Cam shouldn’t come down on her too hard. Taylor is hurt if she senses disapproval or if her efforts are rejected. There is plenty of room for misunderstanding between Cam’s logical parsing and Taylor’s emotional responses. Taylor overextends herself by trying to play with everyone and must be reined in. Cam will offer firm guidelines and not appreciate drama or excuses. He is a loner and isn’t fond of large gatherings and won’t understand why Taylor needs a posse.  An absent or busy Cam could allow her to spiral out of control. Cam is low-drama. His disapproval can be cutting. His logical dissection can be mistaken for criticism. Taylor could be hurt in a hundred tiny ways without Cam ever knowing.

CAM/CAM

Child Cam is a quiet, low maintenance child. He won’t ask for anything, even for what he needs. Child Cam is self regulating and responsible. 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 Cam/Cam pairing is pretty close to perfect. Neither abides chaos. They retreat into their intellectual towers when drama occurs. Both spend a lot of time daydreaming and thinking. They can get into heated logical debates. Both question authority and ask probing questions that make other people squirm. It is unlikely that they would openly attempt to hurt each other. Both can be sarcastic and cutting. Both withdraw to protect. Child Cam develops his own belief system and does not automatically conform to what Parent Cam believes. There could be a schism caused by different belief systems. It could be an icy stalemate that lasts forever. Both would be shocked by how much the other really cares.

CAM/MORGAN

Morgan is a lively baby. He walks, talks, and gets into everything early. He might do them all a little differently. Cam, who expects everything to happen on time and in the right way, will be frustrated. Morgan has a lively questioning mind. He takes risks and outwits dim caregivers, teachers, or other authority figures. Cam won’t appreciate the risk-taking behavior, especially if it gets Morgan into trouble elsewhere. Morgan likes creative projects and follows his unique interests wherever they lead. His penchant for invention is evident early on. They could bond at this level. Morgan is outgoing. He likes to orchestrate activities, assign roles, and oversee the progress. Cam won’t understand his desire for praise. Morgan is irritated when he doesn't get his way and Cam is unlikely to back down. Morgan doesn't do group activities. He can be a clown. Morgan might think Cam is too serious and Cam might find Morgan too flippant. The real conflict between them comes when Morgan strays too far off path. The more Cam disapproves, the more it pushes Morgan to even more outrageous shenanigans. The worse Morgan gets, the further Cam retreats, perhaps cutting him off forever.

CAM/LEE

Lee is a high-demand baby. If placed with absent or self-absorbed Cam, she screams until someone pays attention to her. Cam won’t appreciate this challenge. Lee proves 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. If Cam has different plans and goals for her, Lee will flout them all. She excels at whatever she chooses to participate in. She is in competition with herself not others, but they might not realize it. Cam might appreciate her competence but he won’t appreciate her need to be “someone.” He doesn’t understand why other people need praise and awards and validation from outsiders. Lee is a leader on the playground and becomes the enemy of anyone who doesn’t follow along. She is the quintessential queen bee. Cam won’t admire that about her. Cam will retreat in distaste and Lee will make sure she gets a jab in before she leaves him in the dust. They could have a permanent breakdown in their relationship.

CAM/RIVER

River is a quiet baby. She is content to observe the world. She needs peace and quiet to thrive. Cam will provide that quiet place for her to thrive. He may be a little too distant for her though. River lives in a dream world most of the time. Luckily, Cam won’t try to bring her out of her shell. River has one or two friends. They are similar in that way. River’s emotional skin is thin and Cam’s cutting form of discipline and disapproval could really harm her self-esteem. River naturally sees the world as treacherous and trust is vital. She could be uncertain about Cam and how much he loves her. Both hate violence and discord and prefer peace. They won’t have shouting matches. River isn’t hard to take care of or care for. Cam will find her an easy child who behaves as expected for the most part. River isn’t one to openly rebel. The difficulty can arise if River is too drawn to the mystical or paranormal. Cam is too logical for that. It will be a tug of war between his logic and her emotion. The more out of the norm River goes, the more it will disgust Cam. An idealogical rift is possible.

Next week, we introduce MORGAN.

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