I must attribute this genius idea to my son Caleb.
He compared all of our family's personalities to Pooh Bear characters.
I have been studying the different personality styles for years so his summation both tickled and intrigued me.
The four basic personality styles are as follows:
Tigger's (Sanguine) ... Tigger's personality is full of bounce and spunk. They are the life of the party and enjoy having all of the attention. They struggle a bit with ego, but for the most part they just like having fun. If there is a stage, they want to be on it. If there is a party, they want to attend. They tell the stories and provide the entertainment at family dinners. Sanguine's (Tigger's) know a lot of people, are liked by almost everyone (except those who cannot tolerate bounce in their lives) but relationships are often shallow. Our Caleb has a Tigger personality and we miss his bounce when he cannot be present at the family gatherings. He always brings a reason to giggle to the table.
Rabbit (Choleric) ... Rabbit's personality is a "let's do it this (my) way" kind of guy. He makes lists, wants everything just so, and he is usually the one who knows just how it should be. He is a good boss, except that he can always do it better than anyone else (he thinks) so he usually does it himself, just easier that way. He likes to be chief, administrative, and tell others how the world should turn. He is confident and his confidence can be intimidating ... but not usually to a Sanguine ... they just roll with the punches. We have a couple of rabbits in our family. They help to keep the rest of us in line. We thank the Lord for them.
Christopher Robbin (phlegmatic) ... easy going, loving, encouraging ... the peaceful child. He is supportive of the whole family, is loyal, loving and kind. The flaw of this personality trait is that they can be so peaceful that they might be on the lazy side at times. They don't struggle with deadlines ... "I'll get it in sometime" is their motto. They are not easily moved by the opinions of others. They want to keep the peace at all cost so they just don't stir the waters. Don't offend them, it is hard to win their hearts back. Christopher Robbins are very easy to raise, unless you want their homework turned in on time. Josiah is our Christopher Robbin.
Owl (Melancholy) ... (I don't know if owl is the best example for a melancholy, but I will give it a try). Melancholy's are perfectionist in every way. They have meticulous habits and expectations. Sometimes a person with a Melancholy personality might have a bit of a Choleric personality mix, then you have a very strong perfectionist. If you are not one, you might have a hard time living with this person. If you are one, you might have a hard time living with them, too. They are very strong in how they believe the world should be run. Details are very important to them. They say;
"The paper towels should be hung this way!"
"The toothpaste should be squeezed this way!"
"Hang the clothes this way! Fold my underwear this way!"
Little things are a big deal to a Melancholy ... a Sanguine or a Phlegmatic would never notice such things.
Melancholy's get perfect scores on papers, they turn in their work early, and you can eat off the floor of their bedroom. They like things done right. They can also be little like an Eyeore sometimes. They worry about things and look on the negative side of life. They can easily adopt a "woe is me" attitude, and predict negative outcomes long before life happens.
They have a very good eye for organization. They can easily toss things they don't need even if you just gave it to them as a gift five minutes ago.
Many would call the Melancholy the perfect child. It probably depends on your personality type. If you are a Phlegmatic, you and your child are going to clash ... or vice-versa.
Knowing these personality types has been very helpful in raising our family. This is a very brief description. I would encourage you to study more about it. Knowing the different styles can help in a marriage (our spouse is usually our opposite), raising children, they even use it to train employees in large corporations.It helps you know the things you can and cannot change about someone.
I was struggling with the personality of someone long ago, and my husband so wisely said to me, "You can't change who they are! And you are trying to!"
We can't change who our children are, but we can help them be the very best they can be. We need every character in the Pooh Bear stories to make life work at its best. What if everyone were a Phlegmatic? Necessary things would not get done!
How about a Sanguine? Life isn't all fun and games! We would never have order!
A Melancholy? We would all be carrying umbrellas every day, expecting rain. With a "be sure to take your shoes off at the door" on our lips.
Or Choleric? There would be a lot more wars, I think. Everyone can't be in charge, but someone needs to be.
The perfect person would be the one who has, over time, developed a little of all of these traits. It can be done, but there will always be that one basic one that is your greatest, most natural strength.
Blessings from Pooh Corner!
I have been among the masses lately. Easy to imagine Jesus walking among those He longed to save. Just wondering as I stroll through them, finding my way, do they know Him? Any of them? Would they like to? There is a truth inside of me that I am required to share ... outwardly ... actions and words matching well through me revealing and representing the Lord. Sometimes that happens. I wish for more than sometimes.
