by Dr. Kendra A. O’Hora, PhD, LCMFT

Slowly, we enter into the heart triad. Uh…what?

If you’re just tuning in, here’s the scoop: Each week at Wellness & Co. Amanda & Dylan will be hosting a panel for the Enneagram types, last week wrapped up the instinctual types (e.g., Type 8, 9, and 1) and THIS WEEK we’re leaning into LOVE with Type Two! (PS – if you cannot attend the panel live, you can still register and watch the webinar later on your own time)! You can register to watch the panel here – sign up for one or for all nine! 

This style of learning and exploring the Enneagram is bound to give you new insights, new context to the nine types, and new pathways for growth from Type Structure to True Self! 

So, in that spirit – in honor of our panel series we’ll be sharing some thoughts from YOU.

We’ve compiled reflections from all over to shed some light on our dear friends, Type Two. Particularly, what’s it like being married to a Type Two and what it’s like being a Type Two Mama!

Do ya’ll have a Type Two friend or loved one in your life? I sure hope so, they are – attentive, helpful, empathic, supportive, demonstrative, and a wee bit prideful. Ever wonder how they size up in the loveeeee department? 

HERE’S WHAT OUR DEAR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND WELLNESS & CO. COMMUNITY SAID ABOUT BEING PARTNERED WITH TYPE TWO!

• My Type Two husband is very loving, kind, and is willing to do acts of service of all kinds. I believe my husband to be a Two wing One otherwise known as the servant, which is very true for my husband. 
• He assures all of my needs are met on a daily basis while I am typically the leader and the one in the relationship to handle practical elements such as bills , finances, appointments, planning etc… 
• It took us quite awhile to understand and accept each other’s strengths and weaknesses and lean on what we innately bring to the relationship.
• While my husband can be very loving… he can also be very rigid in routines and ideals. This has been difficult for me to navigate over the years.  But it has taught me to be more loving, kind and gentle when dealing with our differences. 
• My [partner] responds much more openly when I approach our differences in thoughts and ideals with an underlying gentleness.
• She really keeps my life running since I can be kind of messy at times.
• Really the main thing, [my two partner] ever wants is for me to be around them and spend time with them which I love doing.
• She can seem needy at times when it comes to wanting time with me since sometimes I like time to myself but that’s never really a bad thing to have a partner who wants to spend lots of quality time with you. 

Thank you to everyone who shared what it is like being partnered with a Type Two! Your words and insights are helping us continue to honor and understand the strengths and challenges of partnerships with the Enneagram Type Two!

Last but not least, Two truly are incredible mothers. They are attentive and attuned to what their child needs. They actually have a gift in seeing needs, like a magical power. This can help them know their child intimately and foster a beautiful bond. And yet, their attunement can also make them wish others were just as attuned to them – creating some resentment and pride in their hearts. They long to be loved and as such, can also struggle with boundaries because they don’t want to hurt their children. These pros and cons help balance them out in the parenting department.

WANNA KNOW MORE? HERE’S WHAT OUR TYPE TWO MAMAS SHARED ABOUT THEIR MOTHERHOOD EXPERIENCE! 

• I can feel like there is no turnoff, never ending.
• It’s really rewarding because it’s a relationship where love is constantly being put forth and reciprocated.
• It’s joyful but a challenging reminder to set boundaries and not give up too much of your own needs. It’s obviously easy for a parent to give up for their child but a Two sacrifices a bit more than a typical parent (not always for a good reason). 
• I feel like I’m constantly checking for my child’s emotional well-being. I typically have high anxiety but with three kids under 6, I have been able to manage it better than I thought.
• I find myself comparing myself to other parents thinking that I’m not doing “enough” for my kids.
• The hardest part was learning I can’t do it all and have to say no to things that don’t serve my family, kids in particular.

Curious to know what it’s like being a Type Two? Tune in tomorrow, July 28th at 6pm when we explore the life and experiences of three Type Twos!

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