Parenting With The Enneagram: A “Super Tool” For All Relationships

"The Enneagram is a tool that

Awakens our compassion for people

Just as they are,

Not the people we wish they would become

So our lives could become easier."

~ Ian Cron

Do you wish there was a tool to help you understand your relationships quickly and easily—especially with your children? Parenting can be challenging, but the Enneagram is not just a beacon of hope; it's a powerful catalyst for growth and improvement in all of your relationships, offering a path to a more harmonious family life.

What Enneagram Type Am I?

The Enneagram system categorizes personalities into nine unique types. You can find your type by taking an online test, such as the one at https://cloverleaf.me/assessments/enneagram/. Take the test a few times to ensure you agree with the result before starting your unique journey.

What Enneagram Type Is My Child?

It is easy to mistype a child; remember, they are still developing. Typing children can be misleading as they are still growing and developing. Instead, I recommend watching them, taking notes, and waiting until they are older and can agree on their type. (in their teens). What is most important is focusing on understanding and balancing your type first, empowering you to understand your growth and development!

Do you know YOUR type?

The Basics Names of Each Type

Below is a list to help you grasp the nine Enneagram Types and their behavior. The primary names of each type are below, followed by their strengths and challenges.

1 - The Improver: Consistent and honest. Integrity, responsibility, structure, and self-discipline.  

Challenge: Perfectionist.

2 - The Helper: A giver and empathetic. Focuses on helping others and being supportive.   Challenge:  Over-giving.

3 - The Achiever: Self-confident, efficient, and energetic. Goal-oriented and productive. Challenge: Accepting failure.

4 - The Individualist: Creative, authentic, and intuitive.  Emotionally supportive and sympathetic. Challenge: Over-feeling and dramatic.

5 - The Investigator: Wisdom and a systematic mentality. Objective, analytical, and exercise independence, as well as restraint.  Challenge: The Know it All.

6 - The Loyalist: Trustworthy, protective, and very loyal. Sixes have a skeptical nature and are always very prepared.  Challenge: Overprotective.

7 - The Enthusiast: An optimistic outlook, confident and enthusiastic. Positive thinking, fun, and spontaneous. Challenge: Boredom.

8—The Challenger: Supportive, protective, passionate, courageous, authoritative, and self-confident. Challenge: Impatience.

9—The Peace Seeker: Highly spiritual, with unconditional love, acceptance, and an easygoing nature. Great listener. Challenge: Avoiding conflict.

Once you know your type, seek balance within yourself first and continue to watch your children's development. Learn and check in daily to ensure you are working to balance the high side of your personality type and are finding ways to learn the system.

Understanding your type can help you gain insights into your actions, feelings, motivations, stress management, or interactions with others, especially your family.  It is a fantastic tool; self-discovery begins once you discover your type.  And remember, it's not just about growth; it's also about enjoying the process and having fun with it!