How to support an INTJ Daughter, as an INTJ parent?
Tuesday November 24, 2020
Sarah writes,
I’m an INTJ and I have an INTJ daughter. I love her but we’ve had some disagreements lately. I hate to say it but I lectured her a bit and I know she has heard it all before. What can I do to support her?
Man, I feel like I’ve been on both sides of this kind of question being a parent myself. That’s not fun at all, feeling uncool or ineffective as a parent.
Some things I would do pretty soon:
- Stay as far away from criticism as possible while you shore things up.
- Sometimes a parent’s best move is to throw their arms up and walk away. Parents need to recoup energy, too.
- Calmly renew your focus on, and support for, her individuality.
- Ask yourself: What does she do, or say, that helps her feel like she’s different, or that she stands out?
- How can you support her efforts to understand herself through those activities, even if the specific activities may bother you?
- Commit to building a positive interaction and messaging environment. Use objective activities and other objects:
- Hey, let’s rent a movie we both want to watch.
- Hey, let’s shop for a board game that sounds fun.
- Hey, let’s shop for some new and interesting snacks, or a seasonal food we like.
- These activities should help you both to talk happily about things that aren’t you guys, is the point.
Things I would never, ever avoid, that a lot of INTJ parents would try to avoid:
- Apologizing
- (If possible I wouldn’t do this while she’s in a bad mood…usually it’ll add even more negative memories for her to process)
- Sharing regrets
- “I have a lot of regrets as a parent. You know, a lot of days I think I’ve been just an awful parent. lmao.”
- I know, I know, this may lead you into some conflict with your concept of self, and how great, yet unrecognized, you are. Treat it like an experiment.
- If you’re feeling down, you can skip this one, or try it if you think a little sympathy play could help you move up and out.
- This also requires harboring regrets, which may lead you through a learning experience
- Asking how you can be a better parent
- (don’t expect an immediate answer, or any answer)
- Just asking the question is good. Like, “if there’s ever a time when you think I could be a better parent, I hope you’ll share your thoughts with me.”
Things I would do long-term:
- Set up a formal area / file where you keep notes on what’s working and not working in this relationship
- This will help you avoid making the same mistakes and regrets again. This happens to INTJs a LOT when they don’t set up a system or journal, so be careful.
- Start writing down some fun memories here. Later on you can share them with her.
- Set aside a gift and some examples of a kindly-worded note, for when they’re having a hard day
- Support their friendships and relationships with other people in your family
- Invest in listening-without-advice. Soak up and reflect emotion like a sponge. Nothing more. No execution, no plan, no conclusion.
Finally:
- Take care of yourself as a parent. I know you are probably having a hard day yourself. Do something you enjoy today. Things will get better from here.
Filed in: Parenting /5/ | People /74/ | Relationships /78/
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