CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19)
Look into the eyes of your Capricorn child and you'll see an old soul. A deep
sense of responsibility is the dominant characteristic of a Capricorn. In fact,
the urge to grow up and take charge can interfere with the natural stages of
childhood. Some daily structure will help provide a feeling of security. Even
though he or she loves to appear useful and competent, don't push this child to
be strong. Teach your Capricorn child the value of being touched, and held and
how to receive comfort when feeling sensitive. As time passes, set up
opportunities for him or her to be in charge of projects. A Capricorn loves to
feel the reward of doing a good job and is so purposeful that children's play
can seem frivolous. Encourage balance, ease, laughter, and risk-taking. As the
parent of a Capricorn, you need to teach loving self-discipline with the use of
time. Encourage realistic goal-setting, reinforcing the value of not only the
result but what is learned along the way.
AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 17)
This free spirit comes to you with a gift of intelligence and an ability to
adhere to his or her own uniqueness: You can't mold an Aquarian. The normal
patterns of childhood development rarely apply to them; rather, it will likely
occur in unusual spurts. As infants, they thrive on stimuli, unexpected change,
and surprises; there is little need for routine. Aquarians are great observers
and original thinkers. Give your child space to explore and you'll be surprised
by what he or she invents. At school, Aquarians often require something other
than the standard curriculum. Help your child to set up a firm foundation to
bring those lofty ideals into the material world. Social interactions and
friendships are very important, especially when an Aquarian connects with people
of like mind. But a unique mental perspective can create feelings of isolation
and loneliness, so your child will need your help to find his or her way
socially.
PISCES (February 18-March 19)
This highly sensitive and psychic child requires a tremendous amount of love,
care, and closeness in order to feel safe in this world. Your baby is receptive
to the vibrations of everything and everyone, which can be overwhelming. There
may be a tendency to withdraw, escape, or even become sick as a reaction to
being so empathetic. A Pisces child will always be connected to the dream world,
and will have an amazing imagination and link to the soul's wisdom. This is a
child who will thrive on stories and creative play. Validate your child's
intuition as this will become a guiding light through the chaos of ordinary
life. Pisces children will appreciate order, structure, and assistance in
setting goals. They may have a tendency to underestimate their own capacities
while idealizing those of others; help your young Pisces to avoid placing him-
or herself last. Gently reinforce steps toward greater independence, aware that
your son or daughter may have fears that block progress. Listen carefully to
encourage communication; you can provide perspective on a Pisces' innate
understanding of spiritual matters.
ARIES (March 20 - April 19)
Your Aries child will be assertive and independent, seeking new experience as
the means to learning. From the very beginning this child's wants and needs will
be voiced loudly and clearly. Energetic Aries is gifted with an athletic body,
which makes physical accomplishments natural and easy. He or she will be
outgoing, competitive, and excited about the world. You'll find your child to be
precocious and anxious to take the next developmental steps. Don't be surprised
if your youngster is in a hurry to walk, wanting to get moving and out into the
world! You can be of most assistance to this child's needs by providing a safe
environment where energy can be focused into constructive activities. Help your
child to realize his or her potential by encouraging a responsible attitude to
go along with a natural tendency toward independence. Teach the value of
completing tasks and encourage sensitivity to others.
TAURUS (April 20 - May 20)
Your Taurus baby thrives on affection and creature comforts. Food and loving
touch play important roles in meeting this sign's primary need: to feel a
consistent sense of security in the world. A serene environment with dependable
routines helps your child enjoy each day. Life runs smoothly unless he or she
feels pushed or becomes attached to something that you don't support; stubborn
and determined, your little Bull will hold out longer than you can imagine. To
help develop positive personality traits and fulfill innate potential, let your
Taurus child explore at his or her own pace. Your child is practical and
productive; provide many opportunities to develop self-reliance and be sure to
reward results. Help your child to understand the role that money plays in the
material world. Releasing attachment to things can be tricky; you won't be able
to throw out old shoes, clothes, or toys without arousing feelings of invasion
or insecurity. The primary preoccupation of the Taurean is the continuity of
loving; this is the best gift you can give this child.
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)
Your baby will be mentally alert, responsive, and incredibly entertaining.
Curious and adaptable, Gemini children prefer to be out in social environments
and are treasured by the people they meet. However, this capacity for early
mental and social development can camouflage emotional insecurities. Be flexible
in scheduling rather than attached to routines. Avoid overstimulating this
active mind; storytelling can help your Gemini child to relax. It is typical for
a Gemini child to have too many interests going on at the same time, sometimes
leading to a sense of distraction that can be a handicap in school. Create an
atmosphere that supports concentration and inquisitiveness. An extended family
can activate and encourage this child's variety of interests. And if he or she
asks endless questions, teach your child how to find the answers. Be aware of
which behaviors you reward; this clever child can also be tricky and
mischievous. Remind your Gemini of the consequences that come with
experimentation and encourage honesty.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
You are in for a treat! The Cancer child is sweet, loving, and responsive to
mom's feelings. In fact, you might forget who the mother is here. Sensitivity,
imagination, and an acute awareness of others' feelings are typical
characteristics of the Cancer child. Emotional bonding is essential and home and
family provide a place of belonging. Due to your child's hypersensitive nature,
you'll need to provide extra protection from the world's negativity. Otherwise,
he or she will create defense mechanisms for emotional survival. Hold your child
as much as possible, letting your little Cancer know that you intend to create a
safe place as long as need be; it'll be clear when the time comes to help your
child build a separate identity and greater self-confidence. Encourage your
child to take creative risks. Although he or she relies mostly on intuition,
memory will play an important part in success at school. Your child appreciates
structure and guidelines from positive authority figures.
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
No matter how busy you get or how many other children you have, your Leo baby
needs to feel special. This child looks to you for applause and appreciation.
When feeling loved and adored, he or she overflows with exuberant warmth and
generosity of heart. Confidence and self-respect are the primary tools for Leo;
with these, your child can see the potential for creative self-expression and
leadership. You can cultivate these attributes by providing honest feedback,
praise, and attention. Be aware that competition for attention amidst family
members could create complications in your Leo child's future relationships.
Teach your youngster how to resolve conflicts and give guidelines for the
practical aspects of life while acknowledging the value of fulfilling one's
dreams. Demonstrate sympathy and understanding rather than indifference;
otherwise, emotions will escalate until your Leo gets your attention! Allow room
for mistakes; your child wants to feel proud and will be motivated toward
self-correction.
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
Virgo children develop discrimination early. They are acutely observant, bright,
and alert to subtle patterns, and want to understand how everything works. Only
the highest standard is the model to emulate. Your Virgo may appear to be picky,
but it's important to listen to this child's preferences; they are sensitive to
criticism and attached to the idea of being right. As a parent, you should try
to be a model of ease, acceptance, and forgiveness. Virgo children require
efficient routines to feel safe and are happy to help out Mom and Dad around the
house. Anything you do must be consistent and genuine; you can't pull the wool
over this child's eyes. Virgo children need healthy habits, especially with food
and sleep, as they are sensitive to physical imbalances caused by excess.
Undirected mental activity can turn into worry and anxiety.
LIBRA (September 23 - October 22)
A flow of loving energy provides security for your Libra baby. Because this
child is eager to please and tends to follow role models, his or her behavior
could be based on other people's expectations. Teach your child what is socially
appropriate while still emphasizing the significance of self-discovery and
self-expression. Appearances are important, but not at the expense of the inner
connection to one's own truth. Overly sensitive to harsh atmospheres, your
little Libra will appreciate beauty, balance, and serenity. He or she will be
loving and responsive and in many cases will assume the role of the peacemaker.
Librans have a natural inclination toward theater, music, art, romance, and
happily-ever-after stories. As they grow older, their need for beauty, balance,
and fair play becomes a motivation to enhance their lives and the lives of
others.
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21)
Don't try to hide anything from your new little detective -- especially your
feelings. Validate your son or daughter by encouraging emotional expression; let
your child know that by doing so he or she will not lose your love. The trusting
child will share private feelings and will count on you to keep those secrets
and respect personal likes and dislikes. With such a deep connection, this child
will give you space to do what you want. A Scorpio is inquisitive about the
mysterious forces of life, sex, and death; get ready to engage in profound
discussions when your youngster can articulate thoughts and ideas. This child is
not easily coerced into doing what others expect. You're better off winning a
Scorpio's cooperation rather than going head-to-head with one; a predominant
characteristic of this sign is a phenomenal amount of willpower. Never
underestimate the power behind the intentions, even in that little body.
Betrayal is not quickly forgotten, and resentment can lead to revenge.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22- December 20)
Your Sagittarius baby won't want to miss out on anything! Your child will be
restless and inquisitive, filled with enthusiasm, and an inborn optimist. Don't
try to constrain this child too much; freedom is the thing he or she values
most. Mediocrity and normal routines are confining to your small Sagittarian.
Keep him or her entertained with the wonder of new experiences. Once able to
walk, your youngster will be out the door and around the block before you know
it! It is both a physical and a mental urge you are witnessing. Sagittarians
have more unanswered questions to resolve than anyone you can imagine. This can
be exhausting for you; set limits. Teach your child to deal with the negative as
well as the positive, though he or she won't easily accept "no" and "can't."
This positive thinking attracts many opportunities. Things usually come without
much effort for the Sagittarian. A sport or other activity requiring effort and
self-discipline is a good foundation for your child's future success.
