Introverts & Extroverts - How do you parent them toward success?
 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 Center orparentingeducation.org
 

Introverts are quiet people who tend to retreat to places where they are by themselves. When they successfully do this they feel recharged.

Extroverts are people who want to be around groups of people. When they this they feel energized.

What are the traits of extraverts?

Extraverts get their energy from being around others. A day alone can leave them tired, moody and uncooperative. Extraverts outnumber introverts three to one. In general, your extraverted children will have lots of friends, be easy to talk to, have lots of energy, and be quick to tell you what they are thinking and feeling.

Your children are probably extroverts if they:

· prefer people and things over ideas and images.

· feel comfortable in groups and like to work in them.

· have a wide variety of friends and acquaintances.

· tend to jump into new activities quickly.

· are described as “outgoing.”

What are the traits of introverts?

In contrast, introverts become exhausted from social interaction. It is not that they do not like other people or that they lack social skills, but rather that being with others leaves them drained. They need quiet time to refuel. This requirement for alone-time appears especially true after a long week of school, a trip to a crowded store, or a full day of parties.

If pushed beyond their tolerance, these children tend to work on “empty.” At that point it is more difficult for them to handle the ups and downs of everyday life; melt-downs, inflexibility or irritability are likely to occur.

In general, your introverted children will have a smaller group of close friends, need to reflect before they are ready to share their thoughts, will need time to be alone, and may have trouble sharing what they are feeling.

Your children are probably introverts if they:

· prefer ideas and images over people and things.

· feel comfortable being alone and like to work by themselves.

· have a few close friends that they tend to know well.

· tend to reflect and ponder before starting a new project.

· are described as “introspective.”

Things Parents Can Do

As mentioned earlier, this information has implications in many of your interactions with your children, from your assignment of chores, to planning trips or family gatherings, to completion of homework, and to scheduling your holiday plans.

Given the unique and very different approaches of extraverts and introverts, the best way to plan for some situations is as follows:  

Chores

· Extraverts will want to interact with other people and so they will be happiest with chores such as:

o Assisting you in completing a task

o Working with a sibling

o Making phone calls

· Introverts will want to work alone and so they will be most comfortable doing such tasks as:

o Sorting laundry

o Caring for plants

o Dusting

o Cleaning their room, like Scott used to.  I spent all day doing that!

Outings

· Extraverts may love the excitement of the outing. You may need to let them know beforehand how long the trip will last as they will become more energized as the excursion continues.

· Introverts may become exhausted very quick

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