Parenting a Cancerian Child

Cancer is the caretaker of the zodiac. They have natural maternal instincts, and they are always making sure everyone else is okay. If you have a Cancer child, they probably won’t want to stray far from your side. Home and family life is important to them, and they may prefer to have a few really deep relationships in their life, rather than trying to mingle with everyone in their class. At school, it could take your child a little longer to warm up to their peers, as they may be quite sensitive and shy at first.

Though they do have their moody and emotional side, Cancerians are also greater listeners. Your child can easily pick up on how someone else is feeling, and they may ask a lot of questions about why a person is upset. They have big hearts, and they want to know what they can do to make someone feel better. Because of these traits, your Cancer child is probably really good with small pets or younger siblings. They love to feel needed and be of service

If You’re a Fire Sign...

If you are an Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius parent to a Cancer, it may be a little difficult to understand why your child is so introverted. Whereas you may always like to be initiating new tasks and moving ahead to the next big experience, your Cancer child may need a lot more down time at home.

However, your outgoing personality can help your Cancer child to overcome any shyness and build up confidence in themselves. You are able to provide that push that they may need to try out a different hobby or after school activity. It could be helpful to sign them up for an afternoon art class or group sport, but just make sure it’s nothing that’s overly competitive. There’s nothing a Cancerian hates more than conflict and aggression. You may also have a love for travel and immersing yourself in other cultures. Though your child probably likes to stick to surroundings that are comfortable and familiar, try planning a family vacation or weekend trips away to have them experience the world outside of their home.

If You’re an Earth Sign...

If you are a Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn parent to a Cancer, you can help them find structure in their everyday life. Your child probably loves home oriented tasks like cooking in the kitchen or having family movie night, and you are able to understand their need for security and can organize these comforting activities for them.

If it was up to your Cancer child, they would want to spend most of their time playing with dolls or reading books in their room, so you can help them tackle more practical responsibilities. If they have difficult homework assignments, you will be able to be patient with them and get them to work through it without giving up. You may also want to urge them to help out around the house and clean up after themselves. Having a repetitive routine that they can engage in may help to give your child a sense of peace, especially if they’re feeling worked up emotionally. However, try not to give your Cancer child too many rules though, as they may not respond well to super strict punishments.

If You’re an Air Sign...

If you are a Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius parent to a Cancer, you can help your child to better express how they are feeling. You can be very analytical and you like to talk about all of your ideas and opinions, while your Cancer child may make quick decisions based on their feelings and gut instincts. Though you may approach the world in two different ways, you help to balance each other out. Your child may have the tendency to bottle up whatever is bothering them, so you might be able to show them how to communicate more effectively and let people know what’s on their mind.

Cancerians can be quite shy around anyone with whom they’re not familiar. Since you have natural social skills and like being around others, it could be helpful to invite your child’s classmates over to your home, so they can feel comfortable while still making new friends. On quieter days, you may find that you can bond over intellectually stimulating activities, such as board games or trivia cards. You are also able to fuel your Cancer child’s curiosity by taking them to the local library and picking out books together.

If You’re a Water Sign...

If you are a Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces parent to a Cancer, you might have a very unspoken, deep connection with your child. You two may just naturally understand each other, without having to express yourself through words. Because you’re just as intuitive as they are, you may be able to sense how your child is feeling even if they aren’t quick to tell you. You’re also familiar with being overly sensitive at times, so you are able to help your Cancerian understand that having a lot of emotions isn’t a bad thing at all.

You probably place a lot of importance on practicing compassion and kindness towards others, so you may want to get your Cancer child involved in community service activities, where they can feel like they’re taking care of others. Your child may also have a love for animals, so you could enjoy visits to the zoo together, or playing around with pets at home. In addition, being by the water is calming for the both of you, so you may want to take swimming lessons, plan family trips to the beach, or buy toys to enjoy during bath time.

British Vogue's resident-astrologer, Alice Bell was initially drawn to astrology to answer questions in her life related to relationships, work and her emotions. Friends and coworkers began approaching Alice, looking for similar answers to their challenges. Even though she has helped numerous clients, she is still amazed by astrology’s transformational effects. Follow her @stalkalice.