CONFLICT THESAURUS

AN ELDERLY PARENT REQUIRING CARE



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HELPFUL TIP:

Conflict is your story’s secret sauce, supplying tension, relationship friction, and complications to a character’s journey. It comes in a million different forms, so identify the obstacles and problems that will hit your character the hardest by using the Character Builder to uncover their primary insecurities, fears , and desires. Don’t forget to include everyday conflict scenarios that will frustrate them and keep the pressure high.
CATEGORY:
Relationship Friction, Duty and Responsibility, Moral Dilemmas and Temptation, Miscellaneous Challenges

EXAMPLES:
A single parent diagnosed with cancer requiring immediate surgery
A parent who Alzheimers or dementia who requires constant monitoring
A parent who suffers a stroke and will need help to recover
Having an elderly parent who doesn't drive needing help getting to and from appointments
Having a stubborn parent with a medical condition (like diabetes) who isn't managing it properly

MINOR COMPLICATIONS:
Unsympathetic employers when the character has to leave early to take a parent to see the doctor
Being unable to afford in-home support
Moving a parent in to monitor them and it creating friction with family members
A loss of freedom
Resentment over care-taking duties
Being unappreciated by the parent (who is bitter about needing help)
A loss of sleep
Financial distress
Having no time or energy to socialize or pursue hobbies
Other relationships that suffer because they aren't being looked after

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS:
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RESULTING EMOTIONS:
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POSSIBLE INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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PEOPLE WHO COULD BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE:
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IMPACT ON BASIC NEEDS:
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WOUNDS THIS COULD LEAD TO:
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POSITIVE TRAITS TO HELP THE CHARACTER COPE:
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POSITIVE OUTCOMES:
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