Last month, we looked at Enneagram Type 6 — Loyalist Moms. Today we are diving into the world of Enneagram Type 7 moms. These Enthusiast Moms are the party animals of the group. Here are some ways Enthusiast Moms can use their fun-loving personalities to become the best versions of themselves.
Enneagram Type 7 Moms—The Enthusiast Mom
Enneagram 7s are typically highly social, easily distracted, and scattered. They value being satisfied, happy, and content. They fear being bored, in pain, or deprived of excitement. Here are some helpful parenting tips for enneagram type 7s:
1. Accept that you are not missing out.
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
Enneagram 7 moms tend to fear being left out of fun activities and social invitations. They are always trying new things and seeking out new experiences. Realize that you don’t need to do everything or be everywhere all at once. Pace yourself. Pick one or two activities at a time. Earn your adventures with hard work and dedication. Try using indulgence in fun events as a reward for achieving difficult milestones instead of as a daily default.
2. Don’t overwhelm your kids with activities.
“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
As adventurers, Enneagram 7s often struggle with wanting to do all the things all the time. Your kids don’t need an endless schedule of activities to keep them busy. (In fact, a full itinerary is challenging for many of the other enneagram types to maintain.) More than any other extracurricular or social activity, your children need you and your undivided attention regularly. Make sure downtime with your kids is a regular part of your weekly family schedule.
3. Get comfortable with discomfort.
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
Enneagram 7s are uniquely able to be optimistic, energetic, and flexible. Teach your kids that it is okay to fail at something without immediately shifting gears to a new activity to avoid pain. Show them how to deal with disappointment. Teach them to always work hard to achieve their goals, even if it gets boring or uncomfortable along the way. Never give up on your dreams; they will likely follow your lead.
4. Learn to slow down.
“Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.” – John DePaola, licensed marriage and family therapist
Enneagram 7s are the risk-takers and the life of the party. As a parent who is a 7, remember to be present with your kids in the moment. Don’t miss what is right in front of you today (namely, your children while they’re still young) because you are dreaming about what you (or they) can do tomorrow. Learn to enjoy the time you have with them right now.
5. Teach your kids to focus on one thing at a time.
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey
As enthusiasts, enneagram 7 moms tend to struggle with taking on too many different projects or activities at once. Model turning down additional commitments and saying “no” to new demands on your time and energy when you are already stretched too thin. Your kids will learn that it is healthy to choose their clubs, sports, parties, and classes carefully instead of saying “yes” to everything and becoming overwhelmed and overextended.
6. Show your kids how to choose contentment.
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette, author and motivational speaker
Enneagram 7 moms value satisfaction above all else; nothing creates contentment like gratitude. Practice being thankful as a family. Recognize and discuss a few things you are grateful for as you sit around the dinner table together each night or ride in the car to school together each morning. Even when you experience seasons of failure and loss, remember to celebrate achievements and give thanks for your family’s blessings. Your attitude of gratitude will set the tone for your children’s perspective on adversity.
Next, read about Enneagram Type 8–The Challenger Moms!
If you don’t know your Enneagram type yet and want to find out, it’s as easy as taking a test online here. You can read through The Enneagram Institute’s descriptions of the nine types here. There is also a free enneagram-type test available through Your Enneagram Coach here.
