Childhood and the Enneagram : The Stories that Shape Us

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Send a text In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram: Stories That Shape Us , we step into the vibrant inner world of the Type Seven child —the Enthusiast, or what I often call the child who learns to stay safe by staying happy . Emerging Type Seven children are energetic, imaginative, and full of possibility. They bring light, laughter, and creativity wherever they go. Yet beneath their opt...

Send a text In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram: Stories That Shape Us , we explore the emotional landscape of the Type Six child —the Loyalist, or what I often call the watchful child who is always scanning for safety . Emerging Type Six children are deeply perceptive, loyal, and attuned to the emotional climate around them. They long for security, trust, and belonging, and often wrest...

Send a text In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram: Stories That Shape Us , we step into the inner world of the Emerging Type Five child —the Observer, or what I often call the child who learns to stay safe by needing less . Emerging Type Five children are thoughtful, curious, and wise beyond their years. They watch closely, think deeply, and often retreat inward when the world feels overw...

Send a text In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram: Stories That Shape Us , we step into the emotional world of the Type Four child—the Individualist, or as I like to call them, the deep-feeling child. Fours long to be seen for who they truly are and often wrestle with the haunting question: “What’s wrong with me?” We’ll explore how childhood messages shape their longing for authenticity,...

Send a text In this heartfelt episode, we step into the inner world of the Enneagram Type Three child—confident, motivated, and often praised for their performance. But beneath the gold stars and success stories lies a deeper question: Am I still loved if I stop achieving? Join Susan Parker Jones, licensed therapist and author of The Wholehearted Child , as she explores how emerging Type Threes de...

Send a text In this heartfelt episode, we explore the world of Enneagram Type Two—children who long to be loved and needed, and who often learn early on to earn connection through helping others. Known as the Helper, this type shines with warmth, empathy, and generosity—but underneath may carry the heavy burden of shame, believing their worth depends on what they do for others. Join Susan Parker J...

Send a text In this episode, we explore the tender heart and high standards of the Type One child—often called the Improver or Reformer. These kids are responsible, principled, and driven by a deep desire to get it right. But behind the helpfulness and maturity is often an inner critic that never quiets down. We’ll talk about how Type One children manage their anger, why they may struggle with bla...

Send a text In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram: Stories That Shape Us , we explore Type 9—the Peacemaker—and how their natural desire for peace can quietly lead them to lose touch with their own voice. Licensed therapist and Enneagram practitioner Susan Parker Jones explains how Type 9 children often learn to withdraw or merge with others to avoid conflict, and what parents can do to h...

Send a text What does it mean to raise—or be—a Type 8? In this episode, Susan Parker Jones dives deep into the bold, instinctive, and often misunderstood energy of the Type Eight child. Learn how to recognize emerging Eight traits, support your child’s resilience and heart space, and use the Enneagram Harmony Triad (8–2–5) to foster balance. Whether you're raising a strong-willed child or hea...

Send a text In this opening episode of Childhood and the Enneagram , licensed therapist and author Susan Parker Jones lays the foundation for the journey ahead. Discover how the Enneagram —especially through the lens of the Harmony Model —can help us understand the stories we formed in childhood and the patterns we carry into parenting, relationships, and personal growth. We’ll explore the three c...

Send a text In this heartfelt episode of Childhood and the Enneagram , Susan Parker Jones invites you to look beneath the surface of children’s behavior and discover what’s really going on inside. Whether it’s a tantrum, defiance, or withdrawal, every behavior carries a story — and a need. Drawing from trauma-informed strategies like Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and real-life example...

Send a text From the moment we’re born, we’re wired for connection — but what happens when our early experiences disrupt that connection? In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram , licensed therapist and author Susan Parker Jones unpacks how attachment theory and the Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN) intertwine, shaping how we view ourselves, others, and the world. Drawing from her book The Wh...

Send a text What if your strongest emotional reactions, your relationship patterns, and even your inner voice weren’t random — but rooted in childhood? In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram , Susan Parker Jones guides us into a deeper understanding of the Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN) — the unconscious story we write in childhood about who we are, how safe we are, and whether we can cou...

Send a text In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a heartfelt reading of the Introduction to my book, The Wholehearted Child — a celebration of all who nurture, guide, and help heal the next generation. Whether you are parenting children, nurturing students, supporting clients, or tending to the younger parts of yourself, this episode is a reminder that your presence matters more than perfection....

Send a text Every child is asking: Do I matter? Am I safe? Do you see me? In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram , licensed therapist and author Susan Parker Jones invites you to look beneath your words — and discover the powerful role they play in shaping a child’s inner world. You’ll learn how a child’s Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN) is formed through the micro-messages embedded in ever...