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.

Every child is asking: Do I matter? Am I safe? Do you see me?

In this episode of Childhood and the Enneagram, licensed therapist and author Susan Parker Jones invites you to look beneath your words — and discover the powerful role they play in shaping a child’s inner world.

You’ll learn how a child’s Inner Childhood Narrative (ICN) is formed through the micro-messages embedded in everyday conversations, and how the Enneagram helps us understand the emotional blueprints children carry.

Through powerful stories, research-based insights, and practical strategies, you’ll explore:

• The connection between attachment and emotional scripting
• Three common parenting phrases that shape how kids see themselves
• How your own ICN may be influencing the way you respond to children
• What to say instead — and why presence matters more than perfection

Whether you're a parent, educator, therapist, or someone working to heal your own story, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and concrete tools to build emotional security — one conversation at a time.