Personality types and homeschooling

[Entropymama]

What is your Meyers-Briggs personality type? If you don't know, you can take the survey here http://www.truity.com/view/types
 
I recently spent some time reading up on my Meyers-Briggs personality type and found it very interesting that my type is the least likely to report being a stay-at-home parent. It helped explain some of the struggles I've had with homeschooling - feeling unfulfilled, stressing about failure, etc, and I wondered if there were any connections between personality type and homeschooling. 
 
How do you think your personality directs or influences your decision to homeschool and the way you go about it? Do you think certain people who say "I could never homeschool" have simply recognized that their particular bent wouldn't work well in that setting? Not that I think anyone can't homeschool, but it might be more of a challenge for some.

[Mergath]

I'm an INFJ. From what I've seen in various facebook groups, there are a lot of us that homeschool.

[Greta]

Just to explain:  I selected both INTJ and ISTJ because I'm right on the border between the two.

 

ETA:  My daughter is INFJ and it essentially was her personality that made me decide to homeschool!

Edited May 3, 2016 by Greta

[Joyofsixreboot]

ENTP-I find being home difficult so we have lots of activities but my type also likes to be inventive and test limits ( so they say) so that's a plus.

[BarbecueMom]

INTJ. So INTJ, that I've tried to alter that result on tests and end up... still INTJ.

[lllll]

nm

Edited May 17, 2016 by _ ?^..

[....]

INTJ also.  There's probably an overwhelming number of us on here.  We generally don't believe other people have authority over us and don't like to be told what to do, so I can imagine a big percentage of us homeschool.   

[TammyS]

13 (so far) INTJs?  I'm stunned!

 

My people, where have you been?

[amsunshine]

INTJ here.  

[....]

13 (so far) INTJs?  I'm stunned!

 

My people, where have you been?

 

I know, right?!   :laugh:

[Arcadia]

Did you see this old thread?

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/588093-homeschooling-personality-types/

 

My kids like to be with other kids which is why they are in outsourced B&M classes for academic subjects. Online classes fulfill the academic need but not the social need. My kids are mild introverts while I am a mild extrovert. That is why we live in a busy city area and is seldom at home.

[BooksandBoys]

INTJ with a overly developed F due to my childhood. My understanding is that my personality type, which is rare in women, is very well represented among homeschoolers (and forum users).

 

I dislike the day-to-day of being a SAHM, but I absolutely love homeschooling. I think my personality is incredibly well-suited for the job of studying to become a great teacher and finding the best resources for my children, and my introversion makes it easy for me to focus on at-home work (if only my kids were introverts too. Their rather explosive extroversion means I spend a lot of the wishing for a moment of silence). I've often said that I want a part-time nanny to cover the regular care so I can work while still homeschooling. I am taking steps to hopefully make that happen in the next few years.

[regentrude]

ESFJ

I'd go crazy if homeschooling meant having to be a SAHM

Edited May 3, 2016 by regentrude

[happypamama]

I'm an ISFJ but very borderline (like 1%) on the S; on any given day, I could easily be an INFJ, and I'm also very close to being an ISTJ. It makes homeschooling easy because I am completely happy being home all day; it makes homeschooling challenging because I'm "on" all the time, and while I love children and like being with them, there is a lot of noise and a lot of different personalities at once.

[....]

Wow, so we (INTJs) are about 1% of the population, but 40-something % of the survey here.  Where are all the E's?  Out talking to real-live people, I guess?   :tongue_smilie:

[Southern Ivy]

Apparently, I am an enigma. lol 
This told me that I could possibly be an INFJ, INFP, ISFJ, and ISFP. 
On other tests, I waver between INFJ and INFP, so I'm not really surprised. 

*I voted all 4. :/ 

Edited May 3, 2016 by Southern Ivy

[jonnia]

INFP here

 

I think this may explain why I can never seem to decide between all of the curriculum choices. I want to use it all! :drool:

 

[3 ladybugs]

I had to take the test but I am ENFJ with 58.05%.

INFJ was 55.33%, ESFJ was 54.19% as was ENTJ at 54.19%

 

I don't know if you get over 60% for anything or not. Don't know what is the norm. 

[amsunshine]

Wow, so we (INTJs) are about 1% of the population, but 40-something % of the survey here.  Where are all the E's?  Out talking to real-live people, I guess?   :tongue_smilie:

 

1% of the female population, no less!

[Haiku]

Do you think certain people who say "I could never homeschool" have simply recognized that their particular bent wouldn't work well in that setting? 

 

Sure. I know lots of people who I think would be good at homeschooling but who tell me they would not be happy homeschooling, and I can totally see that.

 

I don't think that everyone can homeschool, and I don't think that everyone would enjoy it. I think it's a highly personal choice.

 

Personally, having had a kid in school, I know that I am not set up to be a school parent. I don't like to be told what to do, and I don't like going along with the crowd just because that's what's easier for those attempting to manage the crowd. I don't like being told to do something that I don't see the point of, and I don't like inflexibility.

[ScoutTN]

ENTJ. with moderate E and very strong others.

[Dmmetler]

According to that test, I'm just slightly more an INFJ today. However, I was over 50% on 7 different personality types, with a difference of +\-5%. 14/16 types fell within 40%-60%, so I think you can probably best call me confused. Or maybe balanced.

Edited May 4, 2016 by dmmetler

[BlsdMama]

ENFJ today apparently.

 

I am extroverted... I suspect that if I was homeschooling just one, I'd be the one beginning, coordinating and running the co-op or three. :P ;)  But, really, with managing the group here it's a good fit.  I guess it's a good thing I ended up with my own one room schoolhouse.

[MysteryJen]

INTJ here. Never any different in any of the test I have taken. Only 2 extroverts in the house- good thing Dh and ds3 have each other. Almost all TJ's as well.

[Entropymama]

Okay, I am SHOCKED. 

 

I am also an INTJ.  :lol:  :lol:

 

I love the idea of homeschooling. I love the planning and researching curriculum, setting up schedules. I love exploring with my kids, reading great books; I love the teaching aspect of it. 

 

I really struggle with the rest, though. The emotional responses when my kids don't like their work, the whining, the being pulled in several directions at once. I have six kids and I've had at least one under four continually for 14 years. I love my babies but I am so over toddlers. I don't like working with my kids for 6-8 hours every day and then having to cook and clean and do laundry. I don't like the chaos. I really, really don't like the chaos. 

 

And I struggle with wanting to do something else. I know 'they' say that children aren't an interruption to great work, they are the great work, but I often wish I could be doing something else. I rarely have great days - although most days are okay and some are good. We rarely get to the end of the day and I think, "Gosh, I love doing this!". 

 

This sounds really harsh against homeschooling and my kids in particular but I think you all know what I mean. I want to love it, but if I'm honest with myself, I often don't. I've spent the last few years making tweaks and changes to get us back to a place where I love it (I used to, when there were fewer kids and grade levels and we could actually do all the stuff I want to do). 

 

How do all you INTJs manage this? 

[Entropymama]

Sure. I know lots of people who I think would be good at homeschooling but who tell me they would not be happy homeschooling, and I can totally see that.

 

I don't think that everyone can homeschool, and I don't think that everyone would enjoy it. I think it's a highly personal choice.

 

Personally, having had a kid in school, I know that I am not set up to be a school parent. I don't like to be told what to do, and I don't like going along with the crowd just because that's what's easier for those attempting to manage the crowd. I don't like being told to do something that I don't see the point of, and I don't like inflexibility.

 

 

I have one in school this year, and the possibility that four will be there next year. I am almost certain that one year of that will convince me to homeschool again. (I say again, but I'll still have 2 at home :) ) It's good to hear your perspective. 

[Rebel Yell]

I always believed I was INTJ, my test today had be right on the border of all 4 categories. I believe I am actually ESTJ. I think being an only child with overprotective parents and almost zero friends made me seem more INTJ than I actually was.

[Tsuga]

xNTP.

 

I'm in between introvert and extravert. Actually I'm an extravert who dislikes many people, heh.

 

But we don't homeschool, we after school. So the pattern continues.

[Critterfixer]

Another INTJ here. 

I like homeschooling because it's a nice problem to solve. How do I balance homeschooling, work outside the home, taking care of the home, my writing and self-care? It used to bother me until I decided to figure it out and make a system that works for us. Now I constantly play with it, and it isn't perfect, but then I would probably take perfect and tweak it, so I'm happy in my own little INTJ way. :laugh:

[Chelli]

ESFP the party animal checking in!   :party:

 

And so far I'm the only one! 

[foxbridgeacademy]

I'm an INTJ which is the rarest personality type but if you notice we are overwhelmingly represented in your poll. I'm HSing 1 INTJ (I could have told you he was an INTJ by the age of 4) 1 I/ENTP (depends on her anxiety level) and a ESFP (I think those are the right one, total opposite of me).  Fun times, luckily the E's are somewhat content with online social groups/gaming and each other.

 

ETA, with this particular test today I'm all kinds of confused. I could be an- I or and E.... a N or an S..... an F or a T..... but I am still definitely a J. 

Edited May 4, 2016 by foxbridgeacademy

[foxbridgeacademy]

INTJ. So INTJ, that I've tried to alter that result on tests and end up... still INTJ.

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:  Me too! I can get real close to changing the J but never quite cross the line.

[Garga]

Yup.  Another INTJ here. 

 

When I took the Star Wars Myers-Briggs test it said that INTJs are like Emperor Palpatine.  Sure, why not?  He did manage to bring the entire galaxy under one orderly rule after all. 

[The Governess]

INFJ. I think we are probably over-represented on this board because we need All The Information. This board is like a magnet for people like us. ;)

[*Lulu*]

INFP

 

But my P/J is almost dead center. My S/N was an even split in my early 20's, but has moved more and more to the N as I've aged.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Well first off I'm impressed you typed out all those types.  And second, I went to take the quiz and got bored.

 

So....

 

 

[JumpyTheFrog]

Okay, I am SHOCKED. 

I love the idea of homeschooling. I love the planning and researching curriculum, setting up schedules. I love exploring with my kids, reading great books; I love the teaching aspect of it. 

 

I really struggle with the rest, though. The emotional responses when my kids don't like their work, the whining, the being pulled in several directions at once. I have six kids and I've had at least one under four continually for 14 years. I love my babies but I am so over toddlers. I don't like working with my kids for 6-8 hours every day and then having to cook and clean and do laundry. I don't like the chaos. I really, really don't like the chaos. 

 

And I struggle with wanting to do something else. I know 'they' say that children aren't an interruption to great work, they are the great work, but I often wish I could be doing something else. I rarely have great days - although most days are okay and some are good. We rarely get to the end of the day and I think, "Gosh, I love doing this!". 

 

This sounds really harsh against homeschooling and my kids in particular but I think you all know what I mean. I want to love it, but if I'm honest with myself, I often don't. I've spent the last few years making tweaks and changes to get us back to a place where I love it (I used to, when there were fewer kids and grade levels and we could actually do all the stuff I want to do). 

 

How do all you INTJs manage this?

 

I spend lots of time wishing they were older. I think once my youngest hits ten things might be better, but that is still three years away. Usually when I hear that someone is having another baby, I find myself wondering why anyone would want more than two kids, especially if they are homeschooling. My previous church had all these families with 5-10 kids and honestly the idea of having babies and toddlers around for decades sounds like torture to me. :-)

 

The endless emotional drama drains me, especially from my intense oldest child. The noise, the trails of destruction around the house, etc. At the same time, I know I can raise and teach them better than the schools, so here I am. I just hold onto the fact that I will only be 45 when my youngest graduates and then I can have some sort of lofe again, if my chronic illness is under control by then.

[TammyS]

 

How do all you INTJs manage this? 

 

I don't always handle it very well.  When I do handle it well, it's because I make kid-free time (sometimes by leaving the house) to sit and think about things and plan and make to-do lists.  What I struggle with is figuring out what to do when the kids around, because they are such an interruption to my thought process.  If I can make time away from them to actually make the to-do lists, I can do them with the kids around.  But I can't get any thinking done with them around.  Possibly I should use quiet time for that more often, but I find I often need to do "nothing" during quiet time, so that I can decompress from all of the "swirl".  If I use quiet time for "work think" too often, I start to get stressed and resentful.

 

Luckily, God did not choose to bless me with a large family.  If he had, I think I'd be curled up in a ball in the corner somewhere.

[Critterfixer]

 

When I took the Star Wars Myers-Briggs test it said that INTJs are like Emperor Palpatine.  Sure, why not?  He did manage to bring the entire galaxy under one orderly rule after all. 

 

I want my Evil Overlord shirt. INTJ--ask me about ruling the world, because I've got a system! :lol:

[lllll]

nm

Edited May 17, 2016 by _ ?^..

[happypamama]

Yup. Another INTJ here.

 

When I took the Star Wars Myers-Briggs test it said that INTJs are like Emperor Palpatine. Sure, why not? He did manage to bring the entire galaxy under one orderly rule after all.

The LOTR one says INTJ is Elrond. That's my DS1. I can see it. He's very good at herding and directing small brothers and likes The Rules.

 

Chelli, I have one of those ESFP party animals. He's my middle child. We joke that he'll have like fifty children to satisfy his extrovertism and will need multiple lifetimes to accomplish everything on his bucket list. He is a lot of fun!

 

I'm married to an ISTP crafts person type, and we are a good fit together, except that neither of us like to party. Because DD is an E, DS1 a J, DS2 an E, and DS4 an EJ (his personality has been noticeable from the very beginning), they make sure their needs are known. We have to watch DS3 a bit because he's probably both I and P, sandwiched between two brothers close in age, and it's easy to lump him in with the crowd and not carve out time specifically for him.

[....]

Okay, I am SHOCKED. 

 

I am also an INTJ.  :lol:  :lol:

 

I love the idea of homeschooling. I love the planning and researching curriculum, setting up schedules. I love exploring with my kids, reading great books; I love the teaching aspect of it. 

 

I really struggle with the rest, though. The emotional responses when my kids don't like their work, the whining, the being pulled in several directions at once. I have six kids and I've had at least one under four continually for 14 years. I love my babies but I am so over toddlers. I don't like working with my kids for 6-8 hours every day and then having to cook and clean and do laundry. I don't like the chaos. I really, really don't like the chaos. 

 

And I struggle with wanting to do something else. I know 'they' say that children aren't an interruption to great work, they are the great work, but I often wish I could be doing something else. I rarely have great days - although most days are okay and some are good. We rarely get to the end of the day and I think, "Gosh, I love doing this!". 

 

This sounds really harsh against homeschooling and my kids in particular but I think you all know what I mean. I want to love it, but if I'm honest with myself, I often don't. I've spent the last few years making tweaks and changes to get us back to a place where I love it (I used to, when there were fewer kids and grade levels and we could actually do all the stuff I want to do). 

 

How do all you INTJs manage this? 

 

 

Chaos and noise can send me over the edge very quickly...  I don't allow the TV to just blare all day (like my parents' and in-laws houses - oh, my...I would have a freaking nervous breakdown).  In fact, we rarely watch TV.  Electronics really irritate me.  This sounds stupid, but even changes in light bother me.  Getting outside every day helps.  I take the kids to the park almost every day, take them on bike rides, take them to the skate park, let them sit outside at night and use the starfinder, etc.  On the weekends, we do a lot of hiking and stuff.  

 

Toddlers/preschoolers - ugh!  I have no solution for that!  I can deal with older kids/teens so much better than I can babies/toddlers.

 

My older kids are used to working quietly, following a routine/schedule and working with no nonsense.  At this point, some of them even start working before I tell them to.  So, we are very efficient.  Our homeschool runs like clockwork.   Maybe that's from years of them being trapped in the house with an INTJ.   :tongue_smilie:

 

Edited to add:  When they have threads on the General Board about how long it takes your kids to get through their schoolwork, I always have the least amount of time posted.  I really think that's the INTJ "Quest for Efficiency".  We do NOT like to waste time (or see other people wasting time).  LOL.

Edited May 3, 2016 by Evanthe

[TammyS]

Chaos and noise can send me over the edge very quickly...  I don't allow the TV to just blare all day (like my parents' and in-laws houses - oh, my...I would have a freaking nervous breakdown).  In fact, we rarely watch TV.  Electronics really irritate me.  This sounds stupid, but even changes in light bother me.  Getting outside every day helps.  I take the kids to the park almost every day, take them on bike rides, take them to the skate park, let them sit outside at night and use the starfinder, etc.  On the weekends, we do a lot of hiking and stuff.  

 

Toddlers/preschoolers - ugh!  I have no solution for that!  I can deal with older kids/teens so much better than I can babies/toddlers.

 

My older kids are used to working quietly, following a routine/schedule and working with no nonsense.  At this point, some of them even start working before I tell them to.  So, we are very efficient.  Our homeschool runs like clockwork.   Maybe that's from years of them being trapped in the house with an INTJ.   :tongue_smilie:

 

Edited to add:  When they have threads on the General Board about how long it takes your kids to get through their schoolwork, I always have the least amount of time posted.  I really think that's the INTJ "Quest for Efficiency".  We do NOT like to waste time (or see other people wasting time).  LOL.

 

I totally could have written this post.  Especially about the TV on all the time.  I try not to even go to people's houses that are like that (not a dig against them and I'm happy to see them other places).

 

I've also learned over the years that I just don't maintain even casual friendships with people's kids who are little monsters.  I can handle the occasional misbehavior, but those people whose kids just rule the roost and terrorize the peace, nope, not hanging around with that.

 

[73349]

INFJ (but borderline INTJ). We're a small percentage of the population, but a large contingent among the Well-Trained! :) 

 

 

Maybe so many ___Js of all kinds are here because we're working toward the Right Way to Do Things?

[basketcase]

INFJ. I think we are probably over-represented on this board because we need All The Information. This board is like a magnet for people like us. ;)

Right? Research is my homeschool superpower. INFJs all the way ;)

[Carrie12345]

I voted INTJ and INFJ, because I started leaning F not too long ago. But this one has me on the cusp of N/S, T/F, AND J/P!  :huh:   I am going through quite a few transitions, so I can accept a little confusion, but that's way more than I anticipated!  Probably b/c I didn't like a lot of the questions.

[Ausmumof3]

INFP

 

But my P/J is almost dead center. My S/N was an even split in my early 20's, but has moved more and more to the N as I've aged.

Me too! It for me it's the t and f that hover on the line.

[Ausmumof3]

IN seems the commonest combination. I wonder how much of that is being on an Internet forum. Maybe all the es homeschoolers are hanging out at co-ops and book clubs.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I forgot to mention my main coping mechanism: hiding in the bathroom with the iPad, usually reading this forum.

[OhanaBee]

I totally could have written this post.  Especially about the TV on all the time.  I try not to even go to people's houses that are like that (not a dig against them and I'm happy to see them other places).

 

I've also learned over the years that I just don't maintain even casual friendships with people's kids who are little monsters.  I can handle the occasional misbehavior, but those people whose kids just rule the roost and terrorize the peace, nope, not hanging around with that.

 

 

Yes! Yes!  So many times yes!!!