The Enneagram

The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing strategy.  My understanding is that a combination of genetics and early life experience begins to set up patterns of thinking and motivation that can help be explained and understood via these nine types.  Wisdom regarding our unique Enneagram type and sub-types can influence spiritual growth by allowing us to identify our patterns that have become a spiritual bypass for us.  In other words, some of our defense mechanisms, our ways of avoiding the areas we most need to grow,  can become the focus of our spiritual practice, allowing us to grow into more connected, compassionate, and empowered spiritual beings.

The Nine Styles for Spiritual Growth

Style 1 - The Perfectionists - Being good and doing things right.
Style 2 - The Givers - Taking care of others' needs at the expense of their own needs.
Style 3 - The Performers - Working to be successful and present a good image.
Style 4 - The Romantics - Searching for the idealized love or situation.
Style 5 - The Observers - Conserving their energy and resources.
Style 6 - The Loyal Skeptics - Planning for potential hazards & searching for certainty.
Style 7 - The Epicures - Ensuring they have many options and interesting activities.
Style 8 - The Protectors - Gaining personal power and control, and reversing injustices.
Style 9 - The Mediators - Blending with others' agendas and going along with others.

Visit the9types.com for workshops and classes.  Understanding the Enneagram can improve all forms of understanding and relating personally, professionally.

As parents, knowing our type can help us understand how and why certain situations are strong emotional triggers for us.  Knowing the type our child is currently operating within primarily can help us meet them where their motivation rests.  We can use this knowledge for healing, transformation, and playing our way through equipping our children to become responsible for meeting their own needs while respecting others'.

Children’s Nine Styles of Behavior

The One- wants to get things right.

The Two-Helper wants to be liked.

The Three-Achiever is driven to perform well (perceived as performing well).

The Four-Romantic is focused on feelings, concerned with suffering and beauty.

The Five-Observer is curious and wants to understand everything.

The Six-Questioner looks for security.

The Seven-Adventurer seeks newness and fun.

The Eight-Asserter is strong and energetic.

The Nine-Peacemaker wants to be content and to avoid conflict.

You may be able to see how these types relate to various values.  There will be tools added to this site to help you understand what your child's motivation might be and how you can support them in meeting their own needs through various activities and games you can play with your child.