What's your sign?

So Aaron and I have been talking lately a lot about the role of a parent. Maybe it’s because we will soon be parents, maybe it’s because we’ve started to think about daycare, maybe it’s because Aaron remains convinced that with each new year he can predict the relative ‘success’ of each student by meeting their parents and understanding a bit about their home life…either way, I have been thinking a great deal lately about what our child will be like. So, I took to the stars....Now, typically I don’t put a ton of stock in astrology, however, I do occasionally read my own horoscope and think that the descriptions of personalities for the various signs are pretty accurate (at least for the majority of people I know). Aaron hassles me when I say things like this and continues to warn me that “they write these things to encompass all personality types and that it is more about psychology than anything else.” To which I always respond with an “I know, but it just always seems to fit the person, situation, or time.” Oh well, we’ll save this topic for another time.

But…just for kicks, I checked out the horoscope link on the babycenter.com page that I have been getting regular updates about pregnancy from. Here is what it had to say about the Pisces child. For those of you who don’t know a Pisces is someone who is born between February 19 and March 20.

About the Pisces Child

The Dreamer

A deeply creative imagination enhances your Pisces child's experience of life, imbuing it with varied hues and shimmering possibilities. You might find her staring off into space, but there's plenty going on in that unfathomable mind of hers -- feelings, impressions, and bits of intuition woven together in a rich mosaic of perception. Pisces children are incredibly tender and compassionate, and they need extra affection from their parents. Your little Pisces may want to be held nonstop as a baby and will still need plenty of hugs, kisses, and encouragement as she grows older. Pisces children are often more concerned with their instincts than with logic, and more interested in their dreams or fantasies than in "real life." As the parent of a Pisces child, you can help to ground her in reality; avoidance and escapism are typical Piscean traits.So is idealism. Your Pisces child may have grand visions of the way life could and should be, which will then fall flat in the harsh light of reality. Since your little Pisces is so emotionally sensitive (as well as physically and psychically), you'll need to be careful which people and influences you expose her to and what you feed her. Don't be surprised if she brings home stray kittens and other friends in need. Her heart's capacity to love and serve is enormous -- sometimes to a fault. Your Pisces child needs to protect herself against people who would take advantage of her giving and gullible nature, and that's one area in which you, as her parent, can step in.

My immediate thoughts/reaction…“Wow, am I in trouble!” For those of you who know me this will inevitable pose a problem when it comes to raising a child of this nature. As a Scorpio, I am not a dreamer…Scorpios are regarded as the most intense, profound, powerful characters in the zodiac. What does that mean? “Scorpios are extremely ambitious, persistent and determined which is shown through a power hungry, controlling attitude…A Scorpio never gives up, they are so determined to reach their goal…Scorpios are very weary about trusting anyone…Scorpios have powerful instincts and they trust their own gut feeling which is another reason why a Scorpio seldom fails.”

Is anyone else noticing a trend…that there are a lot of opposite traits displayed here between myself and my child? I can’t help but think that we will undoubtedly butt heads and have a difficult time understanding one another. Oh the challenges I foresee in the future.

But, I guess that is what makes life (and raising kids) interesting. With any luck we will both make each other better people. I am sure I will learn a lot and grow a lot along the way.

And, what about Aaron you might ask…well, he’s an Aquarius. So, let’s examine him as a dad…

As an Aquarius parent, you encourage your children's freedom and independence. You might have a zany or unconventional home life. At the very least, your family home is likely to be filled with your children's original works of art, projects-in-progress, and other objects of interest. Since you're into pushing the boundaries of what's considered normal, you won't mind when your kids dye their hair green or try out an interesting new clothing style. To you, these forms of exploration and unique self-expression are what being young is all about!

“Well! That’s just great…a lot of help he is going to be.” Rather than helping to support my own intensity, he will no doubt side with the kid and together they will gang up on me. “Oh, what fun!” Rather than push our child to be productive and responsible, he will probably help them push the limits of their creativity and we’ll wind up with a dreamer, a wanderer, a door mat, a vagabond. But, then again…maybe we’ll end up with a fiercely giving and compassionate child whose only mission in life is to make others happy. That doesn’t sound all bad. And still yet, maybe Aaron and I will do okay together – each balancing the others personality and parenting style…the ultimate in checks and balances. I guess only time will tell. Either way, this adventure we are about to embark on is bound to be interesting!