Zodiac signs are spoken of frequently to excuse unflattering behavior or explain extreme emotions. I’m sure you’ve heard someone dismiss their stubbornness, sharing that they are a Taurus. I’ve been guilty of crying uncontrollably at Hallmark commercials, responding, “I’m a Pisces; I feel everything.”
This month, I am celebrating my oldest children, Reya (13) and Maxwell (5). With each pregnancy, I was so excited to figure out the baby’s zodiac sign. They were extremely alert infants, aware of everything and everyone around them. I still marvel at their wisdom, maturity, empathy, and social intelligence. Friends and family dub them both “old souls,” but I describe them as my Textbook Libras.
As preschoolers, they thrived on positive reinforcement, praise, and verbal appreciation. This continued throughout the years and I’ve learned to provide a 4:1 ratio for constructive criticism. If I give an area of improvement, I make sure to balance it with 4 or more praises within the same day.
Libras are all about balance.
Reya, Maxwell, and every Libra I know are very diplomatic and fair. I rarely have to step in and mediate conflicts because they have created a microcosm of the justice system at home. I give them the freedom to problem solve on their own, and they practice restorative justice with each other and their younger sister Aria.
Libras are peacemakers.
They seek harmony and honesty, using their innate empathy as a driving force to seek justice for others. Reya and Maxwell are natural advocates, and they respectfully fight for what is right at home and school. They both befriend the friendless and become the voice for the voiceless. It is so heartwarming to hear school stories about my little equity warriors and how they stand up for themselves and others.
Libras are curious.
Intelligent people seek knowledge by asking questions; my two oldest take pride in their inquisitiveness. One of Reya’s favorite preschool memories is when she stumped me with a solar system question. On a car ride home from a long work day, she hit me with rapid-fire questions, most of which I could answer. She took a pause, squinted her eyes, and asked what the moon was made of. Exhausted, I sighed loudly before whispering, “I don’t know, baby, cheese?” Reya suggested that I Google it when I got home since I obviously didn’t know the real answer. Libra kids quickly realize their parents don’t have the answer to everything… because they ask everything.
Libras are creative.
Reya and Maxwell are full of creative ideas and enjoy expressing themselves through telling stories, crafts, writing or special projects. I spend many weekends listening to loud Broadway play reenactments, passionate shower monologues, and intense dramatic play. Boredom is their enemy, and life must be fast-paced!
Are you pregnant with a Libra baby, raising a young Libra, or know someone who is? Here are some tips I wish I had known in my early parenting years:
Allow them grace and space to feel their emotions.
Let them get mad, sit in their sadness, or express joy loudly. Your Libra may need reassurance that you still love them even when they have big emotions. Practicing conflict resolution scenarios at home will make it easier for them to do so in public. As your Libra grows older, they will continue to be passionate about justice, from life at home, global challenges to political issues. Injustices in the world can bring great sadness or anger to your empathetic Libra. Help them channel that sense of social justice to volunteer work, local activism or school-based journalism.
Give them space for imaginative play.
Humor them as they imitate you and other family members. Be responsive to the imaginary friends they may invite to the dinner table and encourage their unique style of dramatic play, even when it seems far out of the realm of normalcy. Allow them to tap into their limitless imagination and support them through this creative outlet.
Incorporate music into their daily lives.
Many Libras are inspired, calmed, and soothed by music. Reya and Maxwell depended on soft jazz or classical music to take naps or fall asleep at night. Upbeat music helps get them out of moody moments and cheers them up. In our family, music is played often, and we have “family songs” that remind us of pivotal moments in our lives.
Respect their downtime.
Reya and Maxwell are both ambiverts with extremely gregarious and reserved behaviors. When comfortable, they will talk your ear off, engage enthusiastically, and exhibit extrovert traits. Their social batteries are limited, though, and need to be recharged after long periods of interaction with others. They often need alone time after family gatherings, parties, or school events. Sometimes, they crash for a nap after dinner! My husband and I encourage them to respond to what their body tells them and allow them grace and space to recharge.
Libras are natural-born advocates, and their justice scales never tip. They are ruled by fairness and are unsettled when equity is absent. Often seen as argumentative, Libras stand their ground verbally and protect their peace. They’re often critical and reflective of their parents’ discipline styles and language delivery.
Reya and Maxwell keep me accountable for my words, actions, and emotional regulation. They make me strive to be the best mother I can be to them because of their clear explanations of their wants and needs. I am able to set personal parenting goals for myself based on their feedback. If you are the parent of a Libra, give them grace, embrace the duality of personality traits, and give them extra love because, though so special, they are often misunderstood.
