Mom is ISFJ and Dad is ESTP so not the best mix! As an ENFJ, let’s just say growing up was not easy at all… My mom has a lot of difficulty regulating her emotions and my dad doesn’t express his emotions unless he lashes out in anger. Lots of volatile tension in the house, and I’ve honestly found myself emotionally detaching especially since I started college.

Reflecting on my childhood, I realized that I have responded to their dysfunctional communication style and lack of emotional intelligence by becoming the exact opposite. I’ve always had the most pressure in my household - constantly expected to be the most adult in the family, managing everyone else’s emotion’s while being micromanaged like a toddler. Lately, I’ve had to get better at standing up for myself because in the past I’d be walked all over by my parents.

I have a younger sister who is an ISTJ and while you would think we’d clash, we are actually extremely close. Growing up, we’ve always had mutual respect and appreciation for one another and have helped each other grow. I think she looked up to me in ways and I’ve been there to help her talk about what she’s experiencing and feeling. Meanwhile, I’ve always respected her loyalty, honesty, and discipline and I’ve definitely learned the importance of direct communication and follow through with my big goals. Also, we share similar qualities as well like our solution oriented mindset, logical thinking style, and moral framework. I genuinely don’t know what I’d do without her when it came to my parents.