Clashes & Complements continued

Yesterday you met the Rabbit temperament. Today you'll meet the rest of them. Keep in mind as you read that most people are a combination of two types and nothing is set in stone. People can and do change; work on their weaknesses; fine-tune their strengths. However, these will give you an overview and I hope you find yourself saying, "Oh, now I know why ____________ acts the way they do!" or "Wow, that's me!" Understanding another person's basic temperament can be a first step to relational/learning problem-solving.

(From 2/7/11) Good storytellers are master observers of human nature. In a really good book, you'll find characters who you instinctively 'know'. We've all dealt with strong-willed know-it-alls; cautious, meticulous types; ho-hum folk that take life with a shrug; party people that just want to have fun! The author, A.A. Milne who wrote the Winnie the Pooh stories built characters with personalities and temperaments with whom even children could relate: Bossy Rabbit, Pensive Eeyore, Bouncy Tigger, and Diplomatic Pooh. Understanding temperament and personality - yours and your child's could help you in clearing a path through problem areas in relational issues and learning needs.

There are many books and resources for further information. One of my favorites is by Florence Littauer called Personality Plus, How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself. But for our purposes here, I'll just boil down a few points. In this post, you'll meet "Rabbit".

Rabbit (often called Choleric)*

Strengths
Leader, strong-willed, decisive, goal oriented, prefers an organized environment, likes to organize others, delegates work, thrives on opposition, doesn't seem to need friends, is usually right, good in emergencies
Weaknesses: egotistical, can be a compulsive worker, must control everything,
intolerant of weakness, can be manipulating, gives un-asked for advice, can be argumentative, has difficulty admitting mistakes or weaknesses, does not like to apologize

The Rabbit Parent:
Strengths: exerts sound leadership, likes to establish goals, family-motivator, usually has a correct answer, likes an organized household

Weaknesses: can be over-domineering, too busy for the mundane of family activities, provides answers too quickly, can be impatient with less than perfect performance, has a hard time allowing children relaxation time (considers it non-productive)

Winnie the Pooh (also known as phlegmatic)*
Strengths: all-purpose person, low key, easygoing, patient and well-balanced, reconciled to life, mediator, administrator, usually has many friends

Weaknesses: unenthusiastic, doesn't like change, sometimes seems lazy because of procrastination issues, can be fearful, has an underlying stubborn streak, indecisive, has a hard time saying 'no'

Winnie the Pooh Parent:
Strengths: is usually a good parent, makes time for children, not hurried, accepting and doesn't get easily upset
Weaknesses: not a home organizer, lax in discipline, takes life a bit too easily, avoids major conflict

Tigger (also known as Sanguine)*

Strengths: appealing personality, talkative/storyteller, loves a party, 'holds on' to the listener (literally), can be innocent/naive, enthusiastic, expressive, curious, creative, a good persuader, inspires and motivates, friendly and outgoing, loves to volunteer
Weaknesses: finds 'finishing' difficult, disorganized, bores easily, talks too much, can be forgetful, self-centered, interrupts, over-commits, has a hard time reaching goals

Tigger Parent:
Strengths: makes home (homeschooling) fun, well-liked by kids' friends, finds humor in a disaster, is the circus-master
Weaknesses: home can be in a frenzy, forgets appointments, disorganized, doesn't listen to the whole story, inconsistent disciplinarian

Eeyore (also known as Melancholy)*

Strengths: deep, thoughtful, analytical, serious and purposeful, talented and creative, detail conscious, orderly, economical, deeply concerned and compassionate, perfectionist
Weaknesses: thinks he’s the only one, easily depressed/gloomy, personalizes
hurt feelings, low self image, judgmental of self/others, procrastinates because of perfectionism, can be demanding

Eeyore Parent:
Strengths: sets high standards, wants things done right, picks up after kids, sacrifices own will for others, encourages scholarship and talent
Weaknesses: puts goals beyond reach, may discourage children, may be too meticulous, becomes a martyr, sulks over disagreements, puts guilt on children


* used from Personality Plus by Florence Littauer

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