✩ cantriplily's parenting style

Instructions

"i could be a good mother.." welcome to cantriplily's parenting style project! this will be a reference point for anyone who is applying for the first fairy lights litter, and can be used by the winners in the future to determine their character's feelings towards her. ✩ table of contents about cantriplily background info parenting style conclusion ✩ about cantriplily cantriplily is a thirty-eight moon old medicine cat of windclan, known for being soft-spoken (selectively mute), gentle, and empathetic towards others. she is often perceived as some sort of mystical deity due to her mysterious nature and ethereal appearance. she is not inherently a motherly cat, but finds it easier to talk to children because they seem to know something that adults forget. in her free time, cantriplily is often kept busy with her medicine cat duties, which include sorting and drying herbs, maintaining a clean den, and, of course, treating patients. she also takes care of the butterfly garden which will fall into her and aurorawish's possession after the entomologists leave it. her other hobbies include doodling, sleeping, meditation, psycho-analyzing strangers against their will, and attempting telepathy. ✩ background information (outside influences on cantriplily's perception of parenthood) having been apart of an unplanned litter, cantriplily was abandoned as a child and soon found by crinklezest, who raised her and her two sisters on her own. her parent was always very accepting of cantriplily's selective mutism and emotional sensitivity, providing her with a shoulder to cry on and allowing her to explore the world from within her comfort zone. they spent the most time together during cantriplily's warriorhood, and as crinklezest neared the end of his life, he taught her how to weave flower crowns and told her stories about the past. she was also the one who encouraged her to pursue the role of a medicine cat, which became her true passion. these moments are very special to her in retrospect, and shaped the kind of cat she is today. now that crinklezest has passed away, cantriplily cherishes her memories of her and would want to emulate his parenting style with her own children. while they are still very different cats, she will try to support her kids and guide them towards their true passions. she will also tell them stories of her childhood and crinklezest himself, for she is a very nostalgic cat and clings to those memories. however, cantriplily has also had her share of trials, having been kidnapped by an elderly twoleg when she was still an apprentice and not returning for many moons. later, her sister starflowerchime also disappeared, never to be seen again. these events play a role in cantriplily's anxiety surrounding her children. she will not be as lighthearted and adventurous as crinklezest was with her, for she fears that it was this that led to them being separated for so long. she is deeply attached to her children, however physically distant she may sometimes be, and worries about their health and wellbeing constantly. she will even suffer from constant nightmares when they are first adopted, and will be terrified that they are actually prophetic visions. the final important factor to discuss is cantriplily is her selective mutism, which is a byproduct of an anxiety disorder. she speaks very few words, and instead communicates through body language and little gifts. this will likely be something that her children will grow up around, and be used to, but as they realize that no other cat is exactly like cantriplily, this may cause feelings of frustration or disconnection. i think that this could be very interesting to explore as she attempts to raise children while navigating her own mental barriers. she is surrounded by an air of mystique and hidden meanings, something that her kids will need to learn to decipher and appreciate for their true depth. ✩ parenting style when her children are kits, cantriplily will spend as much time with them as she can, involving them in her medicine cat duties and ensuring they make as many lasting memories as they can during their childhood. this is because many of the most impactful events in cantriplily's life began when she was a kit, including meeting many of her lifelong friends, as well as her partner and the kits' mother, aurorawish. while she is not physically affectionate with many cats, she will be with her kits, giving them "butterfly kisses," where she brushes her nose against theirs, and playing with their hair. she will also be very aware of their mental health and try to discern how they're really doing, regardless of what they say they're feeling. her love as a mother is quiet but sweet, existing in fleeting embraces and soft, knowing glances. (cont in notes and credits)