The Seven Child
Seven children are frequently lively, adventuresome, sociable, dynamic, and talented. They can be truly vivacious, witty, open-minded, and happy. When offered a chance to learn something new, they bring curiosity and enthusiasm to the table, and they are generally comfortable around all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. On the other hand, Seven children may be counteracting feelings of being in unstable environments or having unpredictable parents by keeping themselves too busy to notice or creating a fantasy that portrays their lives as entirely happy. They may also be far more afraid than they ever appear and may use excess activity, food, or drugs to mask it.
How to nurture a Seven child: Encourage his interests, but also encourage him to stick with a few interests rather than abandon them quickly. Let him know it's okay to feel sad and that the expression of sad or angry feelings helps them dissipate while pushing them out of his mind prevents resolution. Teach him how to enjoy his alone time. Plan exciting vacations or mini adventures to keep his lightening-quick mind stimulated. Listen to his stories, and encourage him to channel his energy into good works.
Some behavioral problems that may indicate possible danger ahead when it comes to raising Seven children:
Even when it's obvious they're hurt, sad, or angry, they often refuse to acknowledge it, talk about, or express it in any way.
They can become hyperactive when stressed, or use frenetic activity to distract themselves from important feelings.
They have great difficulty focusing on their schoolwork long enough to complete homework assignments.
They flit like butterflies from hobby to hobby or passion to passion without giving anything a real chance.
They seem to crave constant activity or want to be entertained all the time — they rarely take time just to relax or be reflective in any way.
They make the same bad choices over and over without seeming to grasp the part they play when it turns out badly.
They are clearly masking pain when overindulging in activity, food, alcohol, or drugs.
Seven children can be very spontaneous, fun loving, adventuresome, and creative. Give them a challenge and they are likely to find a solution that surprises and delights you. They generally feel good about themselves and flourish in school, but they need constant stimulation, challenges, and new experiences. A savvy parent will encourage a Seven child to also claim her sadness, or at least be willing to slow down the pace and focus long enough to figure out if what she is doing is best for her or if she is just trying to distract herself.
