Leo children come in two categories. The first is the classic outgoing Leo, the leader of the gang, cheerful, generous, bossy, outrageously extrovert. The second is shy and withdrawn, generally the result of his or her naturally ebullient ego being deflated by an overcritical or domineering adult.

Leo boys enjoy challenges and taking risks. Leo girls like dressing up and being admired. In class, both have a tendency to take on the role of surrogate teacher, explaining those things which they understand and others don’t. Despite being naturally bright, they possess a streak of laziness which means that their grades can fail to reflect their ability.

At home, Leo youngsters happily take over the organising of the household. Leos are natural drama queens and kings. Their normal sunny, helpful natures can crumble in an instant if they are thwarted, crossed or harshly criticised. Being the parent of a Leo child means having to tread a tightrope between nurturing their confidence and gently discouraging them from becoming over-boisterous and overbearing. It is frighteningly easy to damage Leos for life by stifling their feelings of self-worth at an early age.

Leo children are independent and must be allowed their freedom, or they will take it anyway. As teenagers, they fall in and out of love daily and dramatically. Never expect a Leo child to suffer in silence. Everything about Leos is larger than life – and that goes for heartaches as well as happiness.