4,1,3,4,2,1,1

I know my post title is crazy, but each number represents each member of my family.  Let me explain.  The past few months I've been reading about energy types through Carol Tuttles book Dressing Your Truth.  I was excited about it because I never seem to find clothes that look good on ME.  They are cute in the store, but on me, well, not so cute.  I thought it would be "fun" to find out what everyone is talking about.  (I kept seeing posts from her shared on Facebook.)  I was drawn to it instantly.  I signed up for her dressing your truth course online and I immersed myself in this self-discovery journey.  As I was learning all about the four "types" of energy I decided that I was a type 1 with a secondary 2.  I have a bit of all types, (everyone does) but my dominant is for sure type 1.  I naturally started thinking about my family.  Kirk is a type 4.  We are COMPLETE OPPOSITES!!!  Well, I didn't need a book to tell me that.  Anyway, what I did need the book to tell me is how the things we think are weaknesses are actually strengths.  I'm constantly telling Kirk to smile more, I think he's depressed all the time and that nothing I do is good enough for him.  I felt like he was always trying to improve on something I've done.  Well, he was.  BUT it wasn't to hurt me.  It is just in his nature to perfect and see the world as black and white.  His natural expression isn't a happy one, and even when his type smiles they smile with a straight line in their lips, rarely showing teeth.  You can usually
see their smile in their eyes.  His type is compared to rocks.  My type on the other hand is very light-compared to the air, and we have smiling eyes and happy faces.  You can totally see this in our recent pictures together!!

Anyway, I decided to read Carols book The Child Whisperer.  In this book she goes into great detail about the 4 different types of natures and how to help our children see who they really are is OK.  I have had so many AhHa! moments reading this book.  I have all four types of children and sometimes I have judged them because of what comes naturally to them.  It has been so eye opening and it is by far the BEST book I've ever read about parenting your children (and I've read plenty believe me!) It doesn't try to correct behaviors you see, it helps you see who your children really are.  You may think, "Really?  There's four types of people out of the millions of people on the earth!"  I thought that too.  But she explains how we all have a dominant type and a secondary type, which is unique to us.  And all of us possess some of each type in us but one stands out over the others.  I'm telling you she is spot on about this!  I could easily see each of my children as I read about their specific type.  Dallin and Tayla are my Type 1's.  They are both light hearted, full of energy and want to have fun!  They love attention and they love friends and socializing.  We can get quite silly at times!  Preston is my type 2 child who is deep feeling and emotional and reserved.  Logan is my type 3 child.  A fireball of energy since he was born!!  He was always trying to climb everything, run away outside or at the store and inventing things.  Even now he is my highest achieving child and sets amazing goals and finishes them.  Kolby is my type 4 child.  Very logical, precise, loyal and deep thinking.  He has always been so good.  Following the rules, being a self starter and just getting things done.  It's funny because in the book one of the examples is a mother who had a teacher tell her if all the students were like her child (a type 4) his class would be perfect.  I've actually had Kolby's teachers tell me the same type of thing!!  It's such wonderful information.  I wish I could just shout it to everyone in the world to read this book!!!!  We'd have less messed up adults in the world that's for sure because they would have been raised true to their nature.  I am sad for some of the things I've done (always rushing Preston, telling Dallin to chill out, limiting Logan's activities and trying to slow him down, telling Kolby he isn't an adult and needs to act like a teenager....)  I could go on and on.  But NO mom guilt for me.  I am starting to honor each child and my husband and even myself for who we are.  Kirk also is taking this journey with me and it's helping him understand why our kids feel the need to do certain things.  He is also understanding why I have never quite "grown up" and still want to be silly and have fun.  Carol has tons of awesome resources.  I love her videos and her blog.  I highly recommend her book The Child Whisperer.  I feel so much inspiration and insight into how I can raise my children and really value and treasure who they are and what gifts they bring to the world.  Beth