1.
Crescent
You are a Crescent.Each parenting personality has an internal question that drives their choices and actions. Crescent parents ask, “How are my children (or the children I’m with) feeling right now? What can I do to make them more comfortable in this situation?” (Read to the end to find out what drives the other two parenting personalities—Fireball and Constellation.)Of course, all parents prioritize their child’s needs, but where Crescents shine is in using intuition, empathy, and imagination to see the world through their child’s eyes. Crescents are like the moon—always there, orbiting. Sometimes the moon shows up as its fullest expression (like the “full-moon parent” who’s feeling very protective, even overprotective). And sometimes the moon fades out of view (like a parent giving their child space to grow on their own). Just as the moon orbits the earth 24/7, Crescents are always keeping watch over their child, anticipating their needs and staying patient, steady, and calm through their many moods and feelings. Crescents know they're their child’s greatest advocate, so they’re always ready to step in to help them, whether that means leaving copious notes for the babysitter, speaking to their child’s teacher about their needs in the classroom, or questioning a medical opinion that just doesn’t feel right. With Crescents, it’s not just their own child they’re looking out for. Crescents are excellent advocates for all children. Often, Crescents choose child-centric professions, such as education, caregiving, stay-at-home parenting, or nannying. Crescents are proud of their knowledge, intuition, and empathy when it comes to parenting. They can anticipate their child’s needs and reactions, and they’re skilled at minimizing or preventing meltdowns. Crescents are good at leaving a party before their child is too tired to avoid the tantrum. But should their child have a meltdown in public, they're able to focus on their child’s needs in the moment and tune out the judgment of others. Crescents are always prepared—like the Girl (or Boy) Scout of the parents!—with extra snacks, clothing, or first aid supplies. With imagination as one of their strengths, they’re great at inventing creative games to entertain or distract kids in stressful or frustrating moments. They’re imaginative, fun, silly, and perhaps a little child-like themselves.Crescents will go out of their way to see that their child isn’t unhappy, not only because they hate to see them in distress, but also because it makes Crescents physically uncomfortable. When their child is sad, the world just doesn’t feel right. Crescents easily connect with their children about their feelings and want to talk through everything. However, they may really struggle when their child doesn’t want to talk to them! Experienced Crescent parents know how to balance their focus on the child’s needs, wishes, and comfort with wanting older kids to take on new challenges for themselves. Experienced Crescents understand that it can be good for a child to make a mistake or fail, and they consciously fight the instinct to swoop in and fix everything.Crescent MantraHow are my children (or the children I’m with) feeling right now? What can I do to make them more comfortable in this situation?Crescent SuperpowersYou're loyal, trustworthy, and protective of those you love.You're an excellent advocate for all children. You're imaginative, playful, and can easily come up with fun games to entertain children.You've been told you’re endlessly patient. You can quickly see when children are becoming overwhelmed, and you take action to prevent further distress. You can easily put yourself in a child’s shoes and empathize with them.You’re prepared for any situation.You’re the first to scope out dangers to kids (like a rough surf at the beach or slippery playground equipment).Crescent KryptoniteYou can be overprotective, sheltering kids from things that might hurt them physically and ideas that might be complicated for them mentally.You might have a hard time finding the line between your child’s capabilities in a particular situation and their need for help.You often feel overwhelming guilt because you focus on what you aren’t doing for your child.You often put yourself or your partnership on the back burner and struggle to find time for self-care or a date night.You have the sense you do it “best,” and you need to be present at all times. You have a hard time implementing consequences because you often just explain away your child’s behavior.You can blame yourself for your child’s poor choices (“But if only I had...then they wouldn’t have…”).Shifting PerspectivesEven though you're a Crescent at heart, that doesn’t mean your parenting personality can’t shift. And actually, it’s really important to know when to change gears!Where Crescents ask, “How are my children (or the children I’m with) feeling right now? What can I do to make them more comfortable in this situation?”Fireballs ask, “What is going to be best for me and therefore my family in this situation? How can I set boundaries to make sure I’m not overworked, overwhelmed, or anxious?”And Constellations ask, “What can my family and I do to better our community, whether that’s a team, school or workplace, extended family relationships, or neighborhood?”Crescents might sometimes need to lean into their own needs and boundaries (like a Fireball) or the expectations of other people around them (like a Constellation). That might mean saying no to a child who’s climbing all over you like a jungle gym while you're trying to talk to a friend. Or, checking in with yourself in social situations: is it really necessary to have that one-on-one chat with your child’s teacher at open house?The Solar System Parenting Framework offers opportunities to understand ourselves better, and learn and grow alongside our children. This work of personal growth can improve our relationships with our child, our partner, extended family, and friends.Please click here to let us know how accurate you feel your quiz results are.
