Bess, blond and pretty, had a penchant for second desserts and frilly dresses. She shared Nancy’s adventures out of a deep loyalty to her but was constantly fearful of the dangers involved. George was as boyish as her name. Her hair was dark, her face handsomely pert. George wore simple clothes and craved adventure. -The Secret of the Wooden Lady
Nancy has lots of friends, from Helen Corning to Ned Nickerson, and from Hannah Gruen to her father, Carson Drew. But it’s her two faithful sidekicks–Bess, pretty, slightly plump, and blonde; and George, slender, athletic, boyish–who became her lifelong sleuthing pals. Here are steps to help you find your own loyal, dependable sidekicks.
1. Decide what kind of sidekick you want. Nancy likes Bess and George because they offer different strengths. Think about who you want by your side in case of danger or an emergency. Do you want:
•A sidekick who shares similar traits with you?
•A sidekick who offers different traits to complement yours?
•A quiet sidekick who doesn’t get on your nerves?
•A lively sidekick who offers ideas and suggestions?
•A male sidekick who can handle heavy tasks or dirty jobs?
•A female sidekick who will understand your moods and share clothes?
2. Make sure your choice has all the hallmark sidekick traits. Bess and George have all the traits required for a sidekick, including trustworthiness, loyalty, honesty, a keen sense of justice, and eagerness to help.
3. Treat your sidekick well. Your sidekick will be there for you if you treat her with respect, give her praise when deserved, and help her in her time of need.
4. Give your sidekick important tasks. Most sidekicks would rather be the heroes, but they’re willing to remain in the secondary role if they feel they’re also doing important work. Give your sidekick specific jobs to assist you, then let her know how pleased you are at her successes.
5. Protect your sidekick in dangerous situations. A sidekick is not usually as strong and confident as you, so she may need protection when things become difficult or dangerous. Bess is often fearful when it comes to detecting, and George is sometimes overly confident. Watch your sidekick’s back, make sure she’s safe, and do what you can to rescue her if she’s in jeopardy.
6. Remember to take breaks. Don’t forget that sidekicks need a break now and then. Plan a day of picnicking, a canoe trip with the guys, a game of shuffleboard, or other activity for a fun time. A teatime break is always appreciated in times of stress.
7. Compromise when disagreements arise. Your sidekick may not always agree with your decisions and may challenge you. Even Bess and George sometimes question Nancy’s plans. Explain your reasoning, and try to understand her side of the argument. Apologize if you’re in the wrong, and make an effort to find a happy medium so you both can feel comfortable with the decision.
8. Accept her for who she is. You can’t change your sidekick’s personality or temperament, so learn to accept her the way she is. If a sidekick is fearful, like Bess, allow her to stand back and watch rather than participate. If a sidekick is quick to get angry, like George, try to calm her down and give her something constructive to do to help dissipate her ire. If a sidekick has an annoying habit, such as yelling “Hypers!” when in distress, try to appreciate this as an endearing quirk.
