16 Parents and Children Greer

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 GREER.

Greer is the ultimate absent-minded professor. Greer passes down curiosity and love of learning. He wants to be competent and admires this trait in his children. He is not very good at saying it and finds emotional demands difficult. Greer isn’t interested in molding them to his image. He respects their individuality. Greer gets lost in his work and hobbies and he forgets birthdays and special events. He isn’t a hands-on caregiver. He leaves them to raise themselves or counts on someone else to do it. Though Greer comes across as absent or uninvolved, he cares deeply. He isn’t overly structured or organized. He becomes resentful and withdraws when anxious. A wild child will lose his respect and he will shut down when around them. Greer fares best with self-regulating introverts. Serious violations would be met with scathing analytical outbursts. Greer hears criticism of his children as functional: child doesn’t do x,y, or z. Greer will apply himself to helping the child overcome the obvious but not the emotional subtext. Greer can be oblivious to motives and emotional needs. He is naturally drawn to Greer, Joss, Morgan, Shelby, and Cam. His opposite is Nevada

GREER/WYNN

Wynn is easy to please and seeks approval. She needs clear, consistent rules and a secure routine. While Greer is fondly tolerant, he isn’t the most organized. Things get missed, like bill payments and groceries and housekeeping. Wynn will feel the need to pick up the pieces. Greer pretty much expects Wynn to be self-sufficient and she may feel very lost. Though not typically abusive, Greer’s potential physical absence and absent-mindedness can feel unsafe to Wynn. When stressed, both suffer silently. Wynn will not get the emotional support she needs. She won’t understand why she isn’t more important than the family dog. She will try to pull what she needs from Greer, and he simply won’t understand the request. They speak different languages. This sets up a lifetime of unmet needs and misunderstandings. If it comes to a crises and Greer tells Wynn that though he didn’t show it, he loved her deeply, Wynn will hate him for not telling her sooner.

GREER/FRANCIS

Francis needs order, structure, calm, and a predictable schedule. He is not comfortable with new people or situations. He clings to close friends. Greer can seem unorganized and inattentive. This will make Francis anxious. He will feel the need to take the reins way too early if Greer is the only caregiver. Francis likes group events where he can show off his competence. If his competence is questioned frequently, it results in low self-esteem. Greer will appreciate his competence. He just won’t voice it. Francis becomes rigid in the face of uncertainty and could be a bully. Greer won’t know what to do with a bullying Francis. Francis struggles with overly emotional people and Greer is distant. Francis is meticulous and puts schoolwork before play. Francis is the self-regulating child Greer expects him to be. Francis won’t feel loved or appreciated for what Greer takes for granted. If these two ever have a heart-to-heart, Francis will be surprised to find Greer loved him. And Greer will be surprised by the ways he let Francis down. Of course he approved of Francis and appreciated him. And Francis could say it is too little too late.

GREER/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. Greer will not give him personal attention. Luckily, Nevada does what he is expected to do. He follows the rules if fair and reasonable. He speaks out against unfairness. He is furious when other people break the rules. Greer will appreciate this. Unfortunately, Greer’s physical and emotional absence will turn Nevada against him. Nevada becomes resentful and angry if he doesn't get the praise he seeks. Greer isn’t one to voice his approval or admiration, taking it for granted that the child should know. Nevada struggles to conform to new situations. Greer is likely to remain in the same place, lost in the same endeavors, his whole life. He isn’t adventurous. In this regard, they muddle along fairly well. Nevada will raise himself and resent Greer for having to do so. Nevada could become the parent in the situation, constantly picking up the slack from forgetful Greer. Nevada can become willfully obstinate if violated. Though Greer would not take the time to remonstrate with Nevada, his neglect can be just as damaging. In a crisis moment, Nevada would be shocked to know how much his absent father loved him. He would have appreciated knowing that sooner. If they ever have a confrontation, Greer will be shocked by his child 's resentment.

GREER/ARDEN

Arden is an active toddler but isn’t a snuggler. He hates standing still and that can be exhausting. Greer will be annoyed by the level of activity. Greer would be the type to invent a baby cage or hire a nanny. Arden likes to experiment and needs constant activity and change. He grows sullen and depressed if deprived of opportunities. Greer isn’t the most active parent so Arden will be left to his own devices. Arden could quickly spiral out of control. Arden is curious and likes to disassemble things. He is eager to share his findings. Greer and Arden could bond over that. Arden wants to impress and wants to earn those trophies and badges. He wants to excel. Although Greer might fondly admire Arden’s achievements, he won’t voice it. Arden can resort to acting up to get attention or break up the monotony. The more Arden acts up, the further Greer drifts. This is another situation where Arden would be shocked by his father’s love and Greer will be shocked by how much he let Arden down. Arden could become very self-destructive or turn the resentment into fuel. Arden could become very successful, leaving his absent father behind. Greer won't be included in family festivities.

GREER/BLAIR

Blair needs love and nurturing. Greer being an absent, inattentive, or busy caregiver makes her feel lost. Blair needs a solid foundation from which to flit. Luckily for Greer, Blair 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. Greer will appreciate this drama-free, calm child. Blair makes special gifts and is quick to express emotion. She will not get the same in return. Blair rebels if restricted and resists change. Greer is likely to be stable, even stationary. However, if Blair becomes rebellious, Greer will further bury himself in work or endeavors. This leaves Blair to spiral out of control. Greer will resent her for it. He won’t understand why this seemingly perfect child suddenly becomes a problem. She won’t know that he loves her. It may take something disastrous for him to tell her so. There is plenty of room for conflict in this pairing.

GREER/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. Greer may literally corral her, leave her to the other parent to deal with, or hire a nanny. Dallas is a ringleader of her siblings or in school. Her attention is fleeting. She doesn’t do anything long enough to master it. This will annoy Greer. She has potential, why doesn’t she use it? Dallas hates being stuck at a desk listening to other people talk. She forgets to do what she is supposed to. They share that trait, so necessary things may go undone to the point they are evicted or go bankrupt. If unchecked, Dallas becomes a very wild child. Greer will be annoyed by her behavior. Even though he loves her he won’t understand her. Dallas won’t know that he loves her and will resent him for leaving her free to fall apart. Dallas will act up to feel seen. It could become truly tragic.

GREER/HADLEY

Hadley is an easy baby. She needs calm, personalized attention. Greer is calm, but not always present mentally or physically. Hadley is agreeable and enthusiastic. She wants to try everything once but quickly drops it. This will annoy Greer. Why can’t she master something, anything? Greer wants to be seen and heard and offers deep insights. Greer might appreciate the insights but will not make her feel seen. Hadley shuts down in the face of criticism and everything is criticism. This will annoy Greer. Is she intentionally misunderstanding him? Hadley is easily led and hates leaving friends even though her friendships tend to be fluid. Unfortunately, with Greer not being tuned in, Hadley could be led down a dangerous or destructive path. Greer expects her to guide herself and Hadley may not be able to do that in a healthy way, especially if she feels unloved. She may go to unhealthy lengths to feel love. Hadley would be shocked to hear he loved her deeply. He just didn’t understand her. He will be shocked to learn the million tiny cuts he delivered by letting her down and not telling her or showing her how much he loved her.

GEER/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. In this regard, Greer is the perfectly calm parent for Shelby. Shelby likes playing by herself, with her toys, or with her imaginary friends. She likes to daydream and doodle. Greer will be happy that she amuses herself and doesn’t ask for much. Shelby hates teams and groups and is highly sensitive to criticism. Greer’s lack of involvement may feel like criticism. Shelby may wonder what she is doing wrong since he doesn’t seem that invested. Shelby is reserved around new people and bonds with a best friend. She can be a loner. Greer will understand that. Shelby turns her pain inward. Neither will express their emotions, so Shelby could suffer in silence for a long time. When the tipping point comes, Greer will be shocked by her level of pain over his neglect. Shelby will be shocked to learn he really did love her. He just wasn’t good at showing it.

GREER/JOSS

Joss is a quiet but busy child. He is a fearless daredevil. He accepts structure and concrete rules but needs flexibility. Greer will find him a challenge. Joss asks permission but finds a way around it if told “no.” He grows bored when options are limited. Joss takes things apart to see how they work, but doesn’t tell anyone what he learns. So even if they shared an interest, they might not communicate it. They might both be shocked to learn they share an interest.  Both get lost in work and hobbies. Joss is a good student, but chafes at rote learning. Joss gets in trouble for not paying attention or sitting still. This will annoy Greer who expects Joss to do the right thing without supervision. Greer will mind if Joss fails at school. Joss tries harder to control his world if it spirals out of control. Greer is forgetful but not unstable. Greer is unlikely to have a turbulent lifestyle. He may, however, forget to pay bills and such. Neither are good at pesky details. This could cause problems for them both. While they don’t butt heads often, this pairing doesn’t have much in common either. The distance can continue to grow until they no longer connect.

GREER/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. Kelly is Greer’s worst nightmare. Greer won’t appreciate having his concentration broken to deal with this child. Kelly won't abide by rules or conform. He collects friends and needs to be on the move. He is a ringleader of mischief. He needs firm hand, not an iron fist. Greer will either turn him over to another parent or nanny to deal with or find someone else to shove him off on. This could make Kelly self-destructive. Kelly learns how to manipulate early and become a bully. Greer will dislike this child intensely. He won’t understand what motivates him to be the way he is. Kelly will dislike Greer for being  a boring, cold, neglectful parent. They are likely to become lifelong enemies. Greer won’t understand what Kelly needed and Kelly won’t understand why his father just didn’t seem to care what happened to him.

GREER/GREER

Child Greer is happy, easy going, and likes to explore. He happily plays alone. Child Greer asks odd challenging questions. Both enjoy fantasy, mystery, inventing, and thinking. Child Greer isn’t interested in being fussed over or the center of attention. Child Greer is the perfect child for parent Greer. Parent Greer provides the low-key routine and safety child Greer thrives on.  They could share a love of books and movies. They could have a lot in common and enjoy experimenting and exploring the same things. Parent Greer provides just the right amount of interest and tolerance for child Greer. Child Greer is prone to doubting himself and takes criticism hard. Parent Greer won’t criticize him, so they should have a fairly peaceful life together. Things will be forgotten like bills and household chores, which could be a problem. It really should be a low-conflict relationship. They could become immersed in separate endeavors, each having respect for the other but never really connecting. Both would be surprised at how much love the other feels.

GREER/TAYLOR

Taylor needs peace and calm and Greer provides that. Taylor is friendly and values harmony. Pleasing others makes her happy. She will strive for Greer’s approval but he will never voice it. Taylor takes charge of the playroom and siblings. She will probably be in charge of the home from an early age, making up for Greer’s forgetfulness. Taylor will be hurt that Greer doesn’t acknowledge her efforts. Taylor overextends herself by trying to play with everyone and must be reined in. Greer won’t be the one to do so. He won't want the parties and upheaval in his home. An absent or busy Greer allows Taylor to spiral out of control. This could be disastrous for them both. Taylor could wreck his serenity. Greer could be so neglectful, Taylor becomes lost. She could end up in a dangerous or abusive situation. Taylor could also end up being Greer’s caregiver and resent him for it. It will take a crisis for Greer to tell Taylor how much he loved her. It may be too little too late.

GREER/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. He is self-regulating and responsible. Greer will appreciate this child’s good behavior. Unfortunately, Greer may be so forgetful that Cam doesn’t get the bare necessities of food, clothing, and school supplies. Cam spends a lot of time daydreaming and thinking and so does Greer. It is likely to be a quiet, yet messy, household. Greer may have to start working early. Cam’s questioning of authority and probing questions will delight Greer. They are capable of amiable debate. Both withdraw to protect. It would be like watching two snails bump into each other. Cam develops his own belief system and does not conform to what others believe. As long as he is aligned with Greer’s opinions, it should be smooth sailing. If not, it could be a source of tension. Neither will give ground. They won’t shout it out. They may simply drift apart, neither understanding or stating how much they care.

GREER/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. He has a lively questioning mind. He takes risks and outwits dim caregivers, teachers, or other authority figures. Morgan will be a nightmare for Greer. Green will pawn him off on someone. Morgan likes creative projects and follows his unique interests wherever they lead. His penchant for invention is evident early on. They could share passions in this area. Greer will encourage Morgan’s efforts. Morgan is outgoing. He likes to orchestrate activities, assign roles, and oversee the progress. He is irritated when he doesn't get his way. Morgan could be the dominant force in this relationship. Morgan may resent his father being an absent-minded professor and Greer may be irritated by Morgan’s attempts to manage him and get things done. Neither likes group activities, though Morgan generally likes people and can be a clown. They won’t be the ones hosting birthday parties and holiday celebrations. They could have a positive impact on one another’s interests or find themselves totally at odds.

GREER/LEE

Lee is a high-demand baby. If placed with absent or self-absorbed Greer, she screams until someone pays attention to her. It most likely won’t be Greer. He will hide in his work or lab. 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. Caregivers with different plans and goals for her are 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. Greer may admire her accomplishments but will never say so. Lee is a leader on the playground and becomes the enemy of anyone who doesn’t follow along. She is the quintessential queen bee. Lee will end up running that household. She will feel contempt for Greer’s forgetfulness. Greer will resent her criticism and accusations of being ineffectual. To caregivers with Lee’s temperament, Lee is the perfect child. To rigid caregivers, she is a pain. With Greer, she scares him a little. Lee can grow impatient with this parent and move on or spend her life continually trying to manage him. Conflicts are a given.

GREER/RIVER

River is a docile baby. She is content to observe the world. She needs peace and quiet to thrive. She lives in a dream world most of the time. Greer will appreciate this low-demand child, though he may forget to tend her properly. Greer will provide a calm if not efficient home life. River prefers one or two friends. So does Greer. It won’t be a party house. River’s emotional skin is thin. She naturally sees the world as treacherous and trust is vital. River may not feel she can trust Greer because he isn’t firmly in control of everything. They both get lost in thought and activities. River and Greer hate violence and discord. They won’t fight. It would be a very quiet home full of unspoken needs and emotions. River may become lost or be led into another kind of life. Greer will be sad but he won’t stop her. They could muddle on together if forced to live together for the rest of Greer’s life. River would end up being the caretaker with her needs never met. River would be shocked to know how deeply Greer was capable of loving her.

Next week, we will introduce TAYLOR.

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