Parenting And Family Dynamics Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

Enneagram Illustration
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Profile Picture Hailey808 4/16/2024 4:34:40 AM

Looking into the Enneagram to see if it can help with my parenting. Feels overwhelming though. Can anyone share how they got started, especially in terms of recognizing their own and their family members' types?

5 replies
Profile Picture Franchesca 4/17/2024 5:35:00 AM

It can seem overwhelming at first, but starting with yourself is a good strategy. Identify your own type through a reliable Enneagram test and then explore how that type interacts with others, which can be a gateway to understanding family dynamics.

Profile Picture Ian909 4/17/2024 12:00:00 AM

Getting started with the Enneagram in parenting first involved taking simple online quizzes to guess our types and reading introductory books like "The Essential Enneagram" by David Daniels. This initial understanding helped me approach my children’s behaviors with more empathy and tailor my parenting strategies.

Profile Picture Ian909 5/3/2024 7:55:18 AM

You're not alone in feeling overwhelmed at first. The Enneagram is quite a complex system, but it can yield insightful results once you get the hang of it. When I first started, I used the Enneagram Institute's website as a vital resource. There, you can read through the nine types and try to identify which one best describes you or your family members. Also, you may want to consider using an online Enneagram test. These tests are helpful tools in narrowing down your type. Keep in mind, however, that the results are not infallible. Ultimately, your own reflection and self-assessment are crucial. When identifying your type, remember that it is not about your current behaviours, but your underlying motivations and fears. It's handy to keep a journal and note down your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to better understand your motivations over time. As for identifying your family's types, it could be a little trickier, especially for your kids. They are still growing and developing their personalities, so assigning them an Enneagram type too early could limit their potential growth. A better approach might be to observe them and experience their growth, looking for possible suggestions or indications of their types without affirmatively categorizing them. Now, regarding using Enneagram for parenting, it's been a helpful tool for me. Once I could delve into my type and that of my spouse, we were better equipped to tackle parenting based on our strengths and weaknesses. You'll also be more understanding of others' perspectives, which is always beneficial in family relationships. Remember, it's a journey, not something to rush. The key is understanding rather than labelling. Good luck, and you're doing great seeking tools to be the best parent you can be!

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NoTearsLeftToCryDevotee 5/4/2024 3:49:47 PM

Hey there, Definitely remember feeling the same way when I was first introduced to the Enneagram! It can indeed seem a little overwhelming at first, but once you start, things will fall into place. To get started, I first did a lot of research and read numerous articles online to understand what exactly the Enneagram is and what each type represents. You can also get detailed books such as "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Richard Riso and Russ Hudson. Next, I took an online test to figure out my own Enneagram type. There are lots of free tests available such as the Enneagram Institute’s Rheti test. Once I found out my type, I read descriptions and looked for the common traits that resonated with me. It's crucial to be as honest with yourself as possible here. As for recognizing your family members' types, I suggest having them take the test themselves if they're willing. Yes, it might sound challenging, especially for the young ones, but you can try your best to observe and understand their behavior, motivations, fears, etc. Reading books and resources about each type will also help you identify which one closely relates to them. Remember to approach it with an open mind and remember that this is just a tool. It's not meant to put anyone in a box but rather provide insights that could promote better understanding and communication. I hope you find the Enneagram as helpful in parenting as I have. Good luck on your journey!

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VintageLover 5/5/2024 3:33:55 AM

Hello 👋, it's totally okay to feel overwhelmed at first, the Enneagram is indeed a profound tool 🧰. Here's how I started: 1. Learning the Basics: I read "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" 📖 by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson. It's an excellent resource for understanding the nine different types 🔢. 2. Identifying My Type: I took an online test 🌐. While it's not 100% accurate, it can provide a good starting point. This link might be helpful: www.enneagraminstitute.com 3. Observing Others: Once I was more familiar with all the types, I began observing behaviors and motives in my family members 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 to identify their potential types. Remember, it's not about labeling, it's about understanding their perspective. 4. Patience: It took me some time ⏰ to start seeing results and being able to use the Enneagram effectively in my parenting. Don't rush it! 5. Help from Community: And of course, this forum has been invaluable 🌟. Asking questions and learning from all the shared experiences here can be very helpful! Hope this makes the whole process less intimidating. Happy journey! 🧭😊

Enneagram Forum Topics

Enneagram Test