• Tell them you appreciate them. Be specific
• Share fun times with them
• Take an interest in their problems, though they will focus on yours
• Let them know they are important to you
• Be gentle if you are going to criticize

What's good about being a Two

• they relate to others easily and make friends
• they know what people need and can make their lives better
• they are generous, caring and warm
• they are reasonable, responsible and dedicated
• they are sensitive to and perceptive of others feelings
• they are enthusiastic and fun-loving and have a good sense of humour

What's difficult about being a TWO

• they can't say no
• they may have low self-esteem
• they may feel drained from overdoing for others
• not doing things they like for fear of being selfish
• they can be too self-critical for not being as ;loving as they should
• they can work so hard to be tactful and considerate and suppress their own feelings
• they can be upset because others can't tune in to them as well as they tune in to others

Twos as Children

• are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
• try hard to please parents by being helpful and understanding
• are popular or try to be popular with other children
• are outwardly compliant
• act coy, precocious or dramatic to get attention
• are clowns or jokers if extroverted or quiet and shy if introverted

Twos as Parents

• are good listeners, love children and are warm and encouraging
• are often playful
• always wonder if they are doing it right, giving enough
• can be fiercely protective

Source: Adapted from Riso, Don Richard with Russ Hudson, Personality Types:Using the Enneagram for Self Discovery,1996. Houghton Mifflin and Baron, Renee and Elizabeth Wagele, The Enneagram Made Easy, 1994, Harper Collins