FEAR THESAURUS

BECOMING A PARENT



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HELPFUL TIP:

A deeply embedded fear often stems from trauma, so it can be helpful to explore emotional wounds that may be a factor. Your character might also become risk-averse, avoiding people and situations they associate with this fear. And for a character to achieve their story goal, they must overcome any fear-based thinking that's holding them back. The Character Builder is a great resource for pulling all these factors together.
NOTES:
Becoming a parent is a huge adjustment and will naturally come with some anxieties. But for some characters, this natural worry can tip into a motivating fear. It could stem from a deep aversion to being responsible for another person. It might arise from a physical or mental condition that limits the character or they're afraid of passing on to a child. For others, potential parenthood can act as a trigger that reminds the character of their own past trauma. Whatever the cause, this fear will be the driving factor behind decisions that will greatly impact the character's life.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Taking an abundance of caution when it comes to protective measures to avoid pregnancy
Avoiding situations where they would be responsible for children, such as babysitting or volunteering with young people
Avoiding sex
Becoming a pro-choice activist
Clinging to youthful activities (spending recklessly, partying, hanging out at the bar, etc.)
Being highly independent
Sabotaging relationships that become too intimate
Avoiding family members who are persistent in their questions and trying to change the character's mind
Being highly outspoken about the decision to not have children
Becoming defensive when others ask if children are in the future
Choosing a partner who does not want children (or cannot have them)
The character obsessively watching her menstrual cycle to be sure a pregnancy hasn't occurred
The character taking medical steps to avoid pregnancy, such as having their tubes tied or getting a vasectomy
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COMMON INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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FLAWS THAT MAY EMERGE:
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HINDRANCES AND DISRUPTIONS TO THE CHARACTER'S LIFE:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS IT COULD STEM FROM:
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SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT AWAKEN THIS FEAR :
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HUMAN NEEDS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED:
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GOALS MADE DIFFICULT BY THIS FEAR:
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CONFLICT SCENARIOS THAT OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES:
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