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 LEE.
Lee is take-charge, no-nonsense, and emotionally aloof. It is her job to pass on her values and to make certain her children excel. She values independence and competence. She is strict and has high expectations. She has an organized home life. She has high social needs and throws lavish parties. She is materialistic and status conscious. She wants latest and greatest. She is not good with loving affirmations or praise. Lee will challenge their positions and expect them to be able to defend them. Lee expects good behavior and for them to follow her example. Lee will overlook a mistake once, but it better not be repeated. Lee expects her children to fall in line socially and academically. She reacts violently if they let her down or hurt her in the pocketbook. She may not have children at all. Lee is viewed as competent but not warm. She does not fare well with dreamy introverts. Lee ignores criticism but dishes it out liberally. Lee takes rebellion personally. She is harsh in her response. She is naturally compatible with Lee, Taylor, Arden, Morgan, and Cam. Her opposite is Blair.
LEE/WYNN
Wynn seeks approval and needs clear consistent rules and a secure routine. Lee will provide the stable home life Wynn needs. It just won’t be a warm, loving one. Wynn hates being punished for something she didn't do and Lee won’t take the time to investigate if it appears Wynn did something wrong. Wynn isn’t a rebel at heart. She wants to do the right thing. In that regard, Lee will treat her with fond tolerance. The trouble comes when Lee’s aggressive way of dealing with Wynn will be hard on her self-esteem. Wynn might not be able to meet Lee’s excessive expectations leading to poor self-esteem. Wynn will suffer silently. She won’t act out in obvious ways. She could turn to self harm. Lee would be horrified and angered by that. Lee is more likely to hide weakness and depression than get her help for it. It could be a very damaging, abusive relationship. Wynn simply isn’t strong enough to stand up to her.
LEE/FRANCIS
Francis needs order, structure, calm, and a predictable schedule. He is not comfortable with new people or situations. He clings to close friends. He likes group events where he can show off his competence. He is meticulous and puts schoolwork before play. Lee will be quite happy Francis follows the rules. She wants him to excel so he reflects well on her. Francis and Lee are likely to muddle along well as long as Francis falls in line with Lee’s expectations. Francis could develop other ideas or beliefs. Francis can be just as critical as Lee. Lee will not tolerate a challenge to her authority. If Lee frequently questions Francis’s competency, it results in low self-esteem. Francis becomes rigid in the face of uncertainty and could become a bully. Lee tends to be a bit of a bully, so the apple would not fall far from the tree. If a rift formed, it would be a grudge match.
LEE/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. He does what he is expected to do. This is all good for Lee. She is a little distant but will approve of his cooperation. Nevada follows the rules if fair and reasonable. He speaks out if Lee’s expectations are unfair. Lee won’t tolerate that. Nevada is furious when other people break the rules. Lee could break a rule in service of her goals. Nevada will turn against her if she does. Nevada becomes resentful and angry if he doesn't get the praise he seeks. Lee isn’t into praise. She expects him to know his own worth without coddling. Nevada struggles to conform to new situations. He becomes willfully obstinate if violated. If Nevada challenges Lee in any way, she will come down hard. They could end up fighting over everything and have an antagonistic dynamic that will cause a permanent rift.
LEE/ARDEN
Arden is an active toddler. He isn’t a snuggler, which is just as well for Lee. He likes to experiment and needs constant activity and change. He hates standing still and that can be exhausting. He grows sullen and depressed if deprived of opportunities. He is curious and likes to disassemble things. He is eager to share his findings. Lee won’t appreciate his discoveries. She will find him challenging. Arden wants to impress and wants to earn those trophies and badges. He wants to excel. Lee will support him in that, perhaps push him too hard and be very critical if he fails. Arden can resort to acting up to get attention or break up the monotony. Lee will bring down her iron fist. This can harm Arden’s self-esteem. Lee won’t be taking him to therapy. She would probably send him to military school.
LEE/BLAIR
Blair needs love and nurturing. If Lee is absent, inattentive or busy, Blair will feel lost. Lee provides a solid foundation from which Blair can flit, but won’t appreciate the flitting. Blair is quiet and plays by herself, inventing her own world. She is artistic and highly sensitive, a daydreamer. This is a horrible match with Lee. She won’t have patience for Blair’s naval gazing and dreaming. She wants Blair to be a doer and an achiever. She has high expectations. Blair is pleasant and kind and nurturing toward others. She makes special gifts. Those won’t impress Lee. Lee’s attempts to make Blair into her own image will fail. Blair won’t openly rebel but she will sneak off. Blair will fly further as Lee attempts to reel her in. It could cause Blair to act out and leave home early to escape the criticism and judgment.
LEE/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. Lee will tamp her enthusiasm down. She will not appreciate Dallas’s shenanigans. Dallas is a ringleader of her siblings or in school. This will please Lee. However, Dallas’s 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. Lee won’t understand why this child with so much potential is messing it all up. The more Lee attempts to suppress Dallas, the more Dallas rebels. Dallas has no problem openly flouting Lee’s rules and expectations. She will gather allies and turn against Lee. It will be a fight for dominance. Neither will win, the relationship will just implode.
LEE/HADLEY
Hadley is an easy baby. She needs calm, personalized attention. Lee being busy and aggressive will make her anxious and fretful. Hadley is agreeable and enthusiastic. She wants to try everything once but quickly drops it. Lee will be annoyed by her lack of follow-through. Hadley wants to be seen and heard and offers deep insights. Lee won’t give her the type of attention and guidance she needs. Hadley shuts down in the face of criticism and Lee is highly critical. Hadley is easily led and hates leaving friends even though her friendships tend to be fluid. If Hadley is led into trouble with her friends, Lee will find a way to lock her up. She is likely to put her in a military school or re-education center. This response is overkill and will have the opposite effect. Hadley will likely spiral into depression and make even worse choices. She will resent Lee for being a drill sergeant when she desperately needed an ally.
LEE/SHELBY
Shelby is a quiet baby with a low threshold for excitement. She needs calm and consistent nurturing. Lee’s handling, moving around, and showing her off makes her cranky. She cries to escape the torture. Shelby prefers playing by herself, with her toys, or with her imaginary friends. She likes to daydream and doodle. Lee will attempt to pull her out of her shell and shove her into acceptable activities. Shelby hates teams and groups and is highly sensitive to criticism. She is reserved around new people and bonds with a best friend. She can be a loner. All of this will disappoint Lee and will slowly destroy Shelby’s self-esteem. Shelby turns her pain inward. She won’t openly go to war with Lee. Unless she finds an escape route, she will remain stuck with this critical, harsh enemy. They are unlikely to ever be friends.
LEE/JOSS
Joss is a quiet but busy child. He is a fearless daredevil. He accepts structure and concrete rules but needs flexibility. Lee 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. Lee will not be amused. She will attempt to direct Joss’s energy into acceptable activities. Joss gets lost in his hobbies. He is a good student, but chafes at rote learning. He gets in trouble for not paying attention or sitting still. This will embarrass Lee. She is likely to send him off to military or boarding school. Joss tries harder to control his world if it spirals out of control. Being exiled won’t make him feel safe or understood. In pushing Joss to be her idea of excellent may make him highly resistant to her attempts to reach out. If Joss proves efficient or a hero, Lee will want to bask in his limelight, but he will reject her efforts. He is unlikely to forgive her.
LEE/KELLY
Kelly is a freedom-loving, active, and cranky baby. If Lee craves a consistent schedule, she is 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 will drive Lee crazy. She will double down on efforts to control him. Kelly collects friends and needs to be on the move. He is a ringleader of mischief. He learns how to manipulate early and can become a bully. He needs firm hand, not Lee’s iron fist. Kelly can become self-destructive if thwarted. The harder she attempts to control and mold Kelly, the worse he acts out. There is likely to be an unforgivable rift between them. Kelly would enjoy punishing his torturer.
LEE/GREER
Greer is happy, easy going, and likes to explore. Greer can't handle chaos. He needs a stable routine and safety which Lee provides. He happily plays alone. He asks odd challenging questions, which Lee won’t particularly appreciate. Greer enjoys fantasy, mystery, inventing, and thinking. Lee is more grounded in earthly endeavors and financial success. If Greer decides to become a writer, Lee will not be supportive. Greer isn’t interested in being fussed over or the center of attention. Lee can be too busy to notice him. She isn’t overly emotional, which suits Greer. Greer easily doubts himself and takes Lee’s criticism hard. Greer will somewhat fly under Lee’s radar. She may not appreciate his hobbies and interests. Greer will resist being pushed into situations he doesn’t like. They could subtly frustrate one another for years. Greer will never live up to Lee’s expectations and he won’t care. He will move on to do what he wants unless he becomes totally dominated by her and ends up thoroughly miserable. Lee enjoys a good whipping post.
LEE/TAYLOR
Taylor needs pace and calm. Lee can be unpredictable which makes her anxious. Taylor is friendly and values harmony. Pleasing others makes her happy. She will try hard to meet Lee’s expectations. Taylor takes charge of the playroom and siblings. Lee will see this as taking after her and approve. Taylor is easily hurt if senses disapproval or if her efforts are rejected. Lee isn’t great with praise, so there is plenty of room for misunderstanding. Taylor overextends herself by trying to play with everyone and must be reined in. Lee is a very social creature. She craves status and anything Taylor can do improve her image is encouraged. If Lee is too absent or busy, Taylor could spiral out of control. If Taylor succumbs to depression and anxiety, Lee will expect her to suck it up and carry on. She won’t tolerate weakness. This could be a serious source of conflict. If Taylor steps out of line even the slightest, Lee will put her into rehab or a boarding school. Taylor will feel even more of an outcast. They may never mend this break.
LEE/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. Lee will appreciate this quiet, reliable child. He isn’t going to require much of her time. Cam spends a lot of time daydreaming and thinking. Cam is self-regulating and responsible. He develops his own belief system and does not conform to what others believe. His questioning of authority and probing questions make Lee mad. She expects him to fall in line and not embarrass her. Her because I said so approach will not fly with Cam's insistence on logic. Cam withdraws to protect. The more Lee attempts to mold him, the further Cam retreats. Lee is hard on anyone’s self-esteem but Cam is more likely to be critical of her which won’t go well. Cam is capable of taking off on his own and leaving Lee aghast at his audacity. If they are forced to stay together, Lee will be continually thwarted by this individualistic child.
LEE/MORGAN
Morgan is a lively baby. He walks, talks, and gets into everything early. He might do them all a little differently. If Lee expects everything to happen on time and in the right way, she will be frustrated. Morgan has a lively questioning mind. He takes risks and outwits dim caregivers, teachers, or other authority figures. He likes creative projects and follows his unique interests wherever they lead. His penchant for invention is evident early on. Lee might admire his expertise if not his methods. Morgan is outgoing. He likes to orchestrate activities, assign roles, and oversee the progress. Lee is proud of her charming child as long as he is toeing her line. Morgan is irritated when he doesn't get his way and Lee has rigid rules and has very strict ideas of what is proper. Morgan doesn’t like group activities which will aggravate Lee. Morgan can be a clown, attempting to charm Lee into forgiving him. It’s possible there are enough points of connection that they could muddle along together without too much trauma. But if Morgan turns against Lee, he will be a formidable adversary.
LEE/LEE
Child Lee is a high-demand baby. She screams until someone pays attention to her. Parent Lee will find her exhausting. Child Lee knows her own mind from the day she can talk and tells you what she wants and does not want. Clashes are inevitable. If Parent Lee has different plans and goals, she will be met with stubborn resistance. Child Lee excels at whatever she chooses to participate in. She is in competition with herself not others. Parent Lee will delight in Child Lee’s leaderships ability. She will support Child Lee against her enemies. Both are quintessential queen bees. They could be the best of friends, taking on the world together. If they turn on each other, it will be a death match. One could attempt to outdo the other the rest of their lives.
LEE/RIVER
River is a quiet baby. She is content to observe the world. A busy, aggressive, or outgoing Lee makes her cry. River needs peace and quiet to thrive. She lives in a dream world most of the time. Lee will have to drag her kicking and screaming to play groups or to the playground. River has one or two friends. Her emotional skin is thin. Lee is too much for River. Lee will easily dominate this child. Lee’s criticism will destroy River’s self-esteem. Attempts to mold River in her image will fail. River’s emotional skin is thin and Lee is like the harshest sand paper. River naturally sees the world as treacherous. She will find it hard to trust people. River won’t openly fight with Lee. She hates violence and discord. In her need for peace and continuity, River might lean into her more mystical tendencies and this will make Lee livid. Lee does not tolerate aberrant behavior or being publicly embarrassed. If River does manage to escape this controlling parent, she may be driven into a cult or organization that provides the acceptance and love River desperately needs. Lee will never forgive her for it.
Next week, we introduce RIVER.
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