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Childhood and the Enneagram : The Stories that Shape Us
Childhood and the Enneagram: Stories That Shape Us is a podcast for parents, educators, therapists, and anyone ready to heal their story and help others do the same.
Hosted by licensed therapist, Enneagram practitioner, and author Susan Parker Jones, this series explores how our earliest experiences shape the way we see ourselves, relate to others, and show up for the next generation.
Grounded in attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and the Harmony Model of the Enneagram, each episode unpacks the unconscious narratives we carry from childhood — and how those stories show up in our parenting, leadership, and self-talk.
Through real-life reflections, practical tools, and compassionate insight, you’ll learn how to:
- Recognize and rewrite your Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN)
- Understand children’s behavior through the lens of connection and nervous system safety
- Use Enneagram wisdom to foster emotional growth and secure relationships
- Break generational patterns with clarity, presence, and grace
Because healing your story is where generational change begins — and every small shift has the power to create lasting transformation.
Childhood and the Enneagram : The Stories that Shape Us
Type 7 - Is My Child Avoidant?
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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 optimism often lives a quiet fear of being trapped in pain, boredom, or hard emotions. Their unspoken question becomes: What if slowing down hurts too much?
We’ll explore how early experiences shape a Seven’s relationship with discomfort, why distraction can become a survival strategy, and how their joy can sometimes mask unprocessed sadness or fear. Using the Harmony Triad model, I’ll share how Type Seven children can learn to tolerate difficult feelings, build steadiness, and discover that joy becomes deeper—when it’s grounded.
Whether you’re raising a Seven, supporting one in your work, or seeing these patterns in yourself, this episode offers understanding and hope. You’ll learn how to help a Seven slow down without feeling trapped, how to make room for all emotions—not just the happy ones—and how to remind them that they don’t have to outrun pain to be free.