SingaporeMotherhood | Parenting
February 2021
How to Parent your Child better based on their Chinese Zodiac Sign
Often, we wonder how our children will turn out to be when they grow up. As we watch them develop and learn, we try our best to make sense of their actions and behaviour. Did you know that your child’s Chinese zodiac sign can help you decipher some of their personality traits? Grand Master Hillary Phang of Yuan Zhong Siu reveals some interesting insights based on your child’s Chinese zodiac sign, that could help you parent them better in the coming Year of the Ox.
RAT
Birth years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Children born in the year of the rat are witty, sharp and observant. They are able to adapt quickly to new environments and are creative thinkers. Rat children are one of the most inquisitive of all the zodiac signs. They enjoy picking up new skills and knowledge comes easily for them. One of their strongest assets is their ability to problem-solve and emerge as victors! At work, they are creative, and are popular amongst their peers.
Parent them better: Rat children might need some coaxing to stay on track as they may lack the courage to stick to their chosen path, and end up giving up easily. Due to their tendency to be timid at times, it will be important to build up their courage and leadership capabilities to prepare them for success in life. Being involved in student leadership programs in school can help build their confidence. Be mindful of harsh criticism as this will backfire and discourage them. If your child is fearful of disappointing you, they will be less motivated. Instead, give them useful suggestions, and set mini goals for them to complete.
OX
Birth years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Children born in the year of the Ox are practical, determined and known for their steadfast character. Ox children are hardworking and reliable. When approaching obstacles, their serious and meticulous attitude will be unrivalled. Parents can be rest assured because their Ox child will be goal-oriented, which is one of the most important qualities one needs to have for a successful life! Be cautious of the charging bull – they are immensely loyal and protective of their loved ones, but they can have a fiery temper too.
Parent them better: Ever heard the term “bullheaded”? Your Ox child can be set in their ways, hence changing their mind can be an exercise in futility. Their solid and dependable disposition makes them incredibly lovable but also incredibly frustrating due to their inflexible nature. Instead of telling your child what to do, embrace their stubborn personality. Introduce changes slowly and appreciate their love of stability and determination. Allow them to choose from various options so they feel like they have control over their lives. However, remember not to spoil them. Keep the choices limited!
TIGER
Birth years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Children born in the year of the Tiger are spontaneous, ambitious and fearless. Naturally full of valour and vigour, they are natural-born leaders. They can be extremely domineering and will make the rules if you let them! Due to their thirst for challenges and ambitious nature, keep them busy with stimulating activities to exhaust their energy if you want to sleep at night! Your Tiger child is not a conformist; they love pushing boundaries. Offer them advice, but expect your child to be fierce about his or her independence.
Parent them better: Your Tiger child is incredibly bold and courageous but also easily frustrated. Beware of angry outbursts! Their lack of patience will be one of their greatest downfalls. As parents, it is most crucial to teach your child the true meaning of patience. Constant reinforcement and emphasis on the need to be courteous and patient will train your child to cope with the wait. Your Tiger child has incredible potential to achieve remarkable feats in life as long as his or her ambitious energies are directed positively.
(See also: Anger Management for Children)
RABBIT
Birth years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Children born in the year of the Rabbit are sincere, gentle and compassionate. Their modest and sensitive nature makes them popular amongst their peers. Your child is a seeker of peace and harmony; you rarely need to worry about them getting into fights. They may appear careful and conservative but a dull life is definitely not their style; they enjoy spontaneous outdoor activities every now and then too!
Parent them better: Watch out as it is common for Rabbit children to easily lose interest in their hobbies due to their inability to cope with a routine lifestyle. Be prepared for them to switch from one hobby to another faster than you can blink! Rabbit children need diversity to keep them from getting bored so give them lots of stimulating activities. Their peace-keeping nature may keep them from attaining success as they will tend to hesitate when faced with disagreement from others, and give up easily. Create a safe environment that allows them to express themselves and learn emotional management. This will build their confidence and assertive communication skills.
DRAGON
Birth years: 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Children born in the year of the Dragon are feisty, confident and passionate. Your energetic dragon child will surely be the life of every party! Their natural exuberance and charismatic qualities make them popular everywhere they go. From a young age, they look on the sunny side of life. It takes a lot to put a damper on their bubbly spirits and you need to worry about your little Dragon child when they face disappointments as they are able to bounce back remarkably well. Their unparalleled optimism is a wonderful quality until it involves taking risks. Often, they are so positive that they fail to consider consequences. This lands them in trouble at times.
Parent them better: Dragon children are fiercely independent. This makes them strong leaders. However, their self-assured and sometimes opinionated personality may come off as arrogance. Their magnificent air of authority is a great asset but may cause them to clash with others. Your Dragon child will be brutally honest so you might want to teach them a thing of two about diplomacy! Train your child to pause and think first in order to communicate tactfully. Try to always be open and honest with your Dragon child as they do not condone dishonesty. Finally, as Dragons thrive on positive reinforcement; remember to acknowledge and encourage them frequently.
SNAKE
Birth years: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Children born in the year of the Snake are charming, wise and intuitive. They have a natural zest for life and are extremely eloquent. The gift of gab is strong in individuals with this zodiac sign! Your chatterbox Snake child will definitely keep you entertained with their clever humour. With their unrivalled discernment and observational skills, success will not be a problem! Even from an early age they have a sophistication of thought, and extremely analytical minds. When facing obstacles, they are able to keep their cool and map out a solution. Your Snake child strives to be the best at everything that they do. This causes them to become overly competitive at times. Although rational, they also crave recognition and can get jealous when they feel others outshine them. Parents may need to teach their little Snake child a thing of two about sharing the limelight.
Parent them better: As Snake children are champion analysts, you may find them constantly trying to “read’ people and situations. Beware as they can become manipulative when they want to get something! Hold them accountable for their behaviour and avoid negotiating or giving in to them. On the downside, their sharp instincts can cause them to become overly suspicious or paranoid. Much of their true inner thoughts will probably remain a secret until they are ready to share! Nurturing a sense of empathy for the people around them and teaching them the meaning of unconditional kindness will help them overcome their mistrustful tendencies.
HORSE
Birth years: 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Children born in the year of the Horse are free spirits. They are warm at heart and incredibly energetic. Your Horse child will be active right from day one; baby-proofing the house is a definite must! Be prepared to do lots of outdoor activities to keep them satisfied. Due to their natural need for speed, you may want to carry a first aid kit when your child is roaming around. To prevent serious injuries or unexpected accidents, it is recommended to place a black obsidian amulet amongst their belongings to keep them safe.
Parent them better: Horse children are wild at heart; they are innately independent and crave freedom. They will chase their dreams so parents will not need to worry much about keeping them motivated. At times, it will be frustrating trying to get your child to listen to your advice. Restricting your little Horse child will not turn out well. Instead, guide them from afar and give them space to learn at their own pace. Their self-reliance may seem like a parent’s dream but this can also be a major stumbling block as it will be hard to get them to accept or ask for help. Teach your child that asking for help is a sign of strength and not a weakness. Leading by example is an effective way to do so; make your child feel involved in small projects around the house and ask them for help in completing tasks so that the concept of asking for help when it is needed is not a foreign one to them.
(See also: Safety First: How To Baby-Proof Your Home)
GOAT
Birth years: 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Children born in the year of the Goat are gentle, considerate and upright. They are known for their kind and calm demeanour. Parents will find it a delight to raise their Goat children as they are most likely to be well-mannered and obedient. Your Goat child will have a keen sense of right and wrong. Most people might mistake their mild nature as being meek; but when called for, their sense of justice is so strong that they will not fail to stand up against others.
Parent them better: Their nomadic approach to life calls for a lot of alone time; they will enjoy being home alone and might often get lost in their sea of thoughts. This may cause them to be a little moody and pessimistic at times. Your Goat child is sensitive at heart which may impair his or her objectivity, causing them to get stuck in a vicious cycle of negativity rather easily. Do not be alarmed; with the right guidance and gentle nudging in the right direction, your child’s inner resilience will help them to persevere through difficulties and achieve success.
MONKEY
Birth years: 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Children born in the year of the Monkey are vibrant, upbeat and smart. They are always on the move, looking for puzzles to solve. Extremely curious from birth, parents will find your little one poking their noses into every available nook and cranny. Your child may be easily distracted by something that catches their attention and have difficulty completing tasks. With their intelligence and brilliant mind, they can easily figure out how to manoeuvre their way to achieving the goals they set for themselves. Your little Monkey baby will know how to enjoy the best things in life which also means that they only seek to do things they deem pleasurable. In order to raise them well, limit catering to your child’s every whim and want. Instead, teach self-discipline skills so that he or she can behave responsibly.
Parent them better: Your Monkey child will have an outstanding mind; often they might think they know better than you and will not take critique or negative feedback well. You need to instill a strong growth mindset in your child. Keep your Monkey child’s shortcomings in check by not focusing on what they did wrong but explaining patiently or discussing with them how they could improve the way they respond to a situation.
(See also: 5 Essential 21st-Century Skills every Child Needs to Learn Today)
ROOSTER
Birth years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Children born in the year of the Rooster are deep-thinkers, responsible and earnest. Their outspoken and pompous character will surely draw the attention of others. Your Rooster child will have a sense of style and can be particular about his or her dressing. All who come to know your child will love them for their frank and sincere personality. Their precision and accountability will be their strongest assets. As they age, you will notice their tendencies toward a strong work ethic. Rest assured as your Rooster child will be competent and resolute during their ambitious streak. However, they hold very high standards which may lead them to become overly critical.
Parent them better: As Roosters rarely keep still, they have a need to be constantly doing something and are always busy. At work, they are highly productive but it also means they are prone to endless chatter. As a result, they may sometimes appear obnoxious, annoying and self-centred. They may need some help to tone things down, listen, and learn that it is all right not to always have the final word. Parents may want to set a timer for silence; it will be a useful tool to train them to control their impulse to share everything that comes to their mind. With the right guidance, their outgoing personality will gain them favour and success wherever they go!
DOG
Birth years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Children born in the year of the Dog are loyal, thoughtful and trustworthy. Your child will stay true to their words and honour their promises. They are also extremely protective and will make sacrifices to help or protect those that they care deeply for. Be prepared for lots of cuddles with your lovable little one! Their honourable character means that they will never hesitate to lend a helping to someone in need. Once they fall in love with something, expect them to stay faithful to that hobby or person!
Parent them better: Dog children have a keen sense to pick things up; their super sensitivity to the energies around them will cause them to become temperamental. So be careful when there is conflict around as this might cause them to become insecure and have self-doub. Teach them how to manage their emotions in order for them to keep calm in the face of adversity. Although kind and loving, it will take some time for them to open up to others around them. You child will thrive best in a loving home; be compassionate and create a safe environment. Keep their love tanks filled, and you will find a filial and well-mannered child!
PIG
Birth years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2019
Children born in the year of the Pig are gallant, chivalrous, and honest. Their generosity knows no bounds; at times they might not be able to draw the line with others. Their easygoing nature can be rather naive and overly trusting. This may cause them to be taken advantage of. To keep them safe, parents should sit your Pig child down and teach your child some stranger-danger rules that they need to adhere to.
Parent them better: They are incredibly magnanimous and never hold grudges. They are quick to let bygones be bygones but this also means that they might forget their tough lessons and repeat the same mistake more than twice! Amethyst crystals are best for them as it ushers in high wisdom and also attract benefactors who can guide your little Pig child safely to success. As inconvenient as their credulous nature may seem, it’s also their best asset! Their big hearts are made of gold and their accommodating and tolerant attitude will make them a favourite among all who cross their path.
(See also: How Children can Learn about Stranger-danger)
Hello Year of the Ox!
Knowing your child’s attributes and abilities based on their Chinese zodiac sign can help you parent them better — hopefully! Moreover, you may even discover some characteristics in yourself that you never thought you had. Here’s to a happy, prosperous, safe, and healthy Year of the Ox for one and all!
New Trend Lifestyle Pte Ltd (NTL) was founded in 1989 by World Class Geomancer, Grand Master Hillary Phang. NTL manages Yuan Zhong Siu, our Feng Shui brand, which provides a suite of professional Residential & Commercial Feng Shui, Zi Wei Astrology, Selection of Auspicious Date, Baby Naming, Tarot Reading services and more. For more information, check out www.yuanzhongsiu.com; IG: @YuanZhongSiu.SG and FB: @YZS.SG
Featured image: tung256 from Pixabay
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