15 Tips for Enneagram Type 8 Moms

Are you searching for a powerhouse in the world of motherhood? You need to look no further than the Enneagram Type 8 Mom. Her commanding presence speaks of authority, decisiveness, and confidence.

Known as the challenger, she leads her family with an unshakeable sense of purpose, confidence, and love. The Enneagram Type 8’s journey as a mom is uniquely poised to be compelling for her and her children. 

Given the opportunity to understand her strengths and weaknesses, the Enneagram Type 8 can harness her personality’s immense potential to become an excellent and effective mom.

Here, you’ll find 15 strategies to help the Enneagram Type 8 Mom celebrate her strengths, conquer challenges, and carve out a parenting path that’s as bold and empowering as she is.

Celebrating Strengths

One of the many strengths Enneagram Type 8 Moms hold is their strong sense of justice and fairness. They stand up for their children and challenge any injustices they perceive. 

Enneagram 8 Moms strongly believe in equality and fairness.  They are not afraid to speak up whenever they think someone is the victim of an injustice. As moms, they instill this same sense of justice in their children, teaching them to be assertive and stand up for themselves and others.

An Enneagram Type 8 Mom employs fairness, active listening, and respect when dealing with conflicts among her children. She is skilled at teaching conflict resolution, reinforcing values, and fostering sibling bonds. 

Side note: If you are passionate about justice and equality, you will love this conversation I had with Dr. Beth Allison Barr, author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became the Gospel Truth. 

Overcoming Challenges

Another defining characteristic of Enneagram Type 8 Moms is their fear of vulnerability. Enneagram 8s are not alone in this; the fear of vulnerability can be a struggle for anyone. However, Enneagram Type 8s naturally guard their emotions, ensuring they don’t reveal too much of their softer sides.  For a deeper dive into this topic, visit this helpful resource from Willow Counseling.

When facing life challenges, the Enneagram Type 8 Mom avoids showing vulnerability in front of her children in an effort to protect them. She fears that by displaying emotions, her children might see her as weak or even unreliable.

This brave face can cause others to perceive the Enneagram Type 8 Mom as indifferent, making it difficult to connect with others, including her children. Enneagram Type 8 Moms need to intentionally foster an emotional connection with their children, who may struggle to understand the tough exterior their mother presents to the world.

Don’t Do This: Common Pitfalls for Enneagram Type 8 Moms

Guarding emotions and protecting themselves can leave an Enneagram Type 8 Mom vulnerable to burnout and exhaustion. 

A typical Enneagram Type 8 Mom who works a demanding job, manages household responsibilities, and is actively involved in her kid’s extracurricular activities is used to taking charge and rarely asks for help. She never wants to be seen as weak.

Fatigue and burnout are the natural results of her overextended schedule. As an Enneagram Type 8, it’s essential to prioritize sharing responsibilities, trusting others, and taking breaks to recharge.

Do This Instead: Strategies for Thriving as an Enneagram 8

Rather than risk burning out because she fears giving up control, the Enneagram Type 8 Mom can learn to share responsibility by allowing her children to take on tasks that match their age and abilities.

The Enneagram Type 8 Mom’s strong personality, leadership skills, and sense of justice make them great role models for their children. She can feel confident in their future because her children have learned from her notable example.

An Enneagram Type 8 Mom can create clear expectations, offer guidance, provide feedback when necessary, and ultimately show gratitude for the help. She doesn’t have to assign them big tasks; something as simple as setting the table for dinner will help her children feel empowered and gain responsibility. This approach fosters independence and accountability while lifting the load from resting solely on her shoulders.

Top Tips For Enneagram 8 Moms

Let’s dive into these empowering tips that will help an Enneagram Type 8 Mom create a balanced and effective parenting approach:

1. Embrace Open Conversations

Encourage honest dialogues with your children. Letting them know their opinions and feelings matter will foster trust and open communication.

You may not have time for family dinner every night, but when you do, take the opportunity to ask your kids about their day. Validate them by actively listening and helping them discuss their problems and potential solutions.

2. Discover Their Passions 

Help your children explore their interests. By supporting their passions, you’re nurturing their individuality and self-expression.

If your little one is interested in painting, you can nurture their creativity. For example, you could set up a small art studio in their playroom or enroll them in art classes.

3. Teach Decision-Making

Guide your kids in making decisions. Balancing their independence with your guidance will equip them to gain essential life skills.

Extracurricular activities are a chance for your child to build their decision-making muscles. Provide the available options and talk about their strengths and interests, thus helping them make an informed decision.

4. Model Vulnerability 

Demonstrating vulnerability helps your children learn that expressing their emotions and seeking help when needed is okay.

After personally processing a hard day at work, take time to share with your children in an age-appropriate way. Talk about the challenges, the emotions involved, and, most importantly, how you overcame the difficulty.

5. Share Your Strength Stories

Share stories from your life where your strength and determination helped you overcome challenges. These recollections will inspire them to face obstacles with courage.

A great way to do this is to switch out the occasional bedtime story with a personal one. Share your own experiences, challenges, and life adventures. 

6. Encourage Teamwork

Show them the power of collaboration and teamwork. It’s a valuable lesson that extends beyond childhood.

Plan a family game night. Try out the board game Forbidden Island – problem-solving and cooperation are required!

7. Celebrate Achievements

Celebrate their successes, big or small. Positive reinforcement boosts their confidence and motivates them to keep striving.

Did your child improve their mark in a challenging school subject? Ice cream for everyone! Express how proud you are by acknowledging their hard work.

8. Practice Patience

Cultivate patience by allowing your children to learn and grow at their own pace.

While watching your toddler trying to tie their shoelaces is adorable the first time, time number three hundred and thirty is an opportunity to practice patience. Intentionally sit with them while offering gentle guidance and praising their efforts.

9. Teach Empathy

Help them understand others’ perspectives and feelings. Empathy fosters strong interpersonal skills and meaningful relationships.

Sibling arguments provide an opportune time to teach empathy. Sit each child down and encourage them to see the situation from the other child’s perspective.

10. Empower Problem-Solving 

Guide them through problem-solving steps instead of immediately providing solutions. This exercise empowers them to think critically and find their answers.

Teen and even tween friendships are complicated. Ask questions and allow your child to analyze the situation themself. This self-reflection enables them to find a potential solution.

11. Create Rituals

Establish special family rituals that create lasting memories and a sense of belonging.

Bring the family together with a Sunday movie night. Cozy blankets, homemade popcorn, and all of you together create moments to remember.

12. Encourage Independence

Allow them to take on age-appropriate responsibilities, nurturing their sense of autonomy and competence.

Try out a children’s cookbook.  Allow your youngster to make dinner for the family. You can coach from the sidelines, allowing them to build confidence. Who knows, maybe your family will find a new favorite recipe.

13. Acknowledge Emotions

Validate their emotions by acknowledging their feelings. This acknowledgment helps them develop emotional intelligence.

You can provide emotional support by saying, “I understand today was tough, and it’s okay to feel this way.”

14. Set Healthy Boundaries 

Teach them the importance of boundaries in relationships, which promote self-respect and healthy connections.

Define boundaries and discuss how they can work in your child’s friendships. You can use examples such as the borrowing of clothes or other belongings.

15. Inspire Compassion

Encourage acts of kindness and compassion towards others. This teaches them the value of making a positive impact on the world.

Every community has opportunities to serve others. Look for a service project that fits your family. For example, if being active as a family is important, volunteer to walk dogs at a local animal shelter.

Embracing a Healthy Parenting Journey: Takeaways and Insights

By applying these tips, you’re providing a nurturing and impactful environment for their growth. Remember, your strength and guidance as an Enneagram 8 Mom are incredible assets that can help shape your children into confident, resilient individuals. Celebrate your strengths as a fearless leader, guiding your children with unwavering determination.

By embracing vulnerability, practicing empathy, and allowing space for your children’s individuality, you’ll create an environment that fosters authentic connections and nurtures their self-confidence. Your journey is a blend of strength and softness, a delicate balance that ultimately shapes your children into resilient, empathetic, and empowered individuals.

Your Action Step

So, march forward with your head held high and an open heart. Your strength is a beacon, but your love is the glue that binds your family together on this remarkable journey called parenthood. You can learn more about your motherhood superpower by taking our quiz.