From the moment we’re born, we’re wired for connection — but what happens when our early experiences disrupt that connection?

In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram, licensed therapist and author Susan Parker Jones unpacks how attachment theory and the Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN) intertwine, shaping how we view ourselves, others, and the world.

Drawing from her book The Wholehearted Child, Susan walks through the six early risk factors that impact secure attachment, the four major attachment styles, and how each may show up across the Enneagram types using the Harmony model.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone doing the brave work of healing your own story, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and reflection — plus questions to help you uncover the deeper patterns at play in your relationships.

Tune in to begin understanding the story behind your story — and take your next step toward healing, growth, and secure connection.

What if your strongest emotional reactions, your relationship patterns, and even your inner voice weren’t random — but rooted in childhood?

In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram, Susan Parker Jones guides us into a deeper understanding of the Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN) — the unconscious story we write in childhood about who we are, how safe we are, and whether we can count on others.

You’ll explore how these narratives shape emotional reactions, self-talk, and relationship dynamics — and how the Enneagram’s three stances (Dependent, Withdrawn, and Assertive) reveal the hidden strategies we develop to feel safe and seen.

Whether you’re a parent wanting to model emotional safety, a professional working with children, or someone doing the brave work of healing your own story, this episode offers compassionate insights, practical reflection questions, and a pathway toward greater self-understanding.

Because when we name the story beneath the reaction, we begin to write a new one — with clarity, connection, and self-compassion.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a heartfelt reading of the Introduction to my book, The Wholehearted Child — a celebration of all who nurture, guide, and help heal the next generation.

Whether you are parenting children, nurturing students, supporting clients, or tending to the younger parts of yourself, this episode is a reminder that your presence matters more than perfection.

This is a gift of encouragement for every mother, teacher, therapist, and nurturer doing the quiet, courageous work of love.

May you hear in these words a reflection of your worth, your impact, and the beauty of your journey toward wholehearted living.