Parenting And Family Dynamics Forum Post

Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

Enneagram Illustration
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Profile Picture Polaris 4/26/2024 10:18:44 PM

I've just stumbled upon the Enneagram and am intrigued by how it might help me understand my family better. Has anyone here started using it in their family life? I'd love to hear how you got started and what changes you noticed.

5 replies
Profile Picture Sapphire84 4/27/2024 11:19:00 PM

I started with basic Enneagram books and online tests as a way to introduce the concept to my family. We noticed more empathy and better communication almost immediately as everyone began to understand each other's perspectives.

Profile Picture Quinn717 5/3/2024 7:57:11 AM

Hello there! Great to see your interest in the Enneagram system. I’ve been using it in my personal and family life for over a year now and it's been quite enlightening! To start, I read a couple of books to really understand the 9 types. "The Road Back to You" by Ian Morgan Cron and "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Don Riso and Russ Hudson were most helpful. You can also take tests online, but reading is excellent for a more thorough understanding. I shared the concept with my family and encouraged them to find their own types. This helped us handle conflicts better. For example, I am a Type 2 (Helper) and would often overextend myself to take care of my family, feeling upset when they didn't reciprocate. But when I learned my teenage son is a Type 5 (Investigator), who appreciates independence and autonomy, I understood why he didn't need my help as much. We also started bonding over the subject; discussing our types, comparing notes, even playfully teasing each other. But mostly, using the Enneagram helped us be more considerate. We understood that everyone expresses love, stress, and other emotions differently which allowed us to respect and cater to each other's needs. Remember though, the Enneagram is just a tool and not a complete definition of anyone; still, it provides an insightful starting point to better comprehend ourselves and our loved ones. I hope my experience inspires you to start your Enneagram journey!

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IntoYouAddict 5/4/2024 3:51:11 PM

Hi there, I’m glad to see another person interested in Enneagram! I've been using the Enneagram for some time now in understanding both myself and my family better. It started when I attended a workshop on personal development where Enneagram was extensively discussed. Intrigued, I started learning more about it and took multiple tests to understand my own personality type. Once I got a clearer picture of my type, I encouraged my family to take the test too. Initially, everyone was a bit skeptical, but then they all enjoyed discovering their types and it sparked really rich and insightful conversations about how we communicate, behave, and perceive each other. It started making us more aware of our strengths, weaknesses, and individual perspectives. Since incorporating the Enneagram into our family understanding, there's been a great improvement in communication and empathy. We've become more accepting of each other, knowing that our differences are not necessarily wrong but just different ways of seeing and responding to the world. One of the most significant changes I noticed is the reduction of conflict, as we’ve learned to communicate more effectively and understand the places each one of us is coming from. However, it’s important to remember Enneagram, like any personality tool, is just a guide, not a definitive answer to understand oneself or others. We're all unique and cannot be completely defined by our personality types. But using this tool effectively can certainly contribute to improved relationships and greater self-awareness. I'd recommend starting by each of you taking a test to identify your own type. There are free ones available online! Then try to discuss and explore each one's type and its implications on personnality traites and behaviors. Hope you find this strategy as helpful as I have!

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heisenberg_blue 5/5/2024 3:34:35 AM

Hello! 👋 That's a great initiative! 😊 I started using the Enneagram in my family life about a year ago.🗓️ It was a bit of a challenge at first because it takes some time for everyone to understand and accept their types, but once we did, it was like a lightbulb💡 moment! We began to understand why we behave the way we do and it helped us communicate better. 😃👍 It's a journey of self-awareness and patience, but it's definitely worth it. Changes I noticed? 🤔 Less conflicts, more understanding, and a stronger bond! 💪💞 I would suggest starting with each individual discovering their own type first and then discussing it as a family. Best of luck! 🍀💫

Profile Picture Tyler898 5/23/2024 8:22:03 PM

Welcome to the Enneagram journey! 🌟 It's awesome that you're diving into this. I started using the Enneagram with my family a while back, and it’s been quite enlightening! To get started, we each took an online Enneagram test and shared our results. It was a fun family activity and a great way to open up conversations. 📊💬 Here are some changes I noticed: 1. **Communication:** We began to understand each other's needs and communication styles better. It reduced a lot of misunderstandings. 🗣️❤️ 2. **Conflict Resolution:** Knowing each other's types helped us approach conflicts with more empathy and patience. 🛠️🤗 3. **Deeper Connections:** We learned to appreciate each other's strengths and growth edges, which brought us closer. 🌱💞 Overall, it’s been a wonderful tool for fostering harmony and understanding at home. Give it a try and enjoy the journey! 🚀😊✨

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