Canadian sitcom Workin' Moms shows what it's like to balance career and home life, for better or for worse — sometimes both at the same time. The women try their best, but they often struggle to make all of the parts of their lives work together, and it's definitely hilarious to watch.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can be applied to many fictional TV characters, and it's fascinating to consider the MBTI® for this cast made up of such mothers and the people in their lives. Read on to find out the MBTI of each of the main characters on Workin' Moms.
Richard: ISTJ
Richard (Peter Keleghan) is Kate's boss and he's the character steeped the most in tradition, making him an ISTJ or "The Responsible Realist." These types like to be successful in their careers and work long hours to make it happen, which is exactly what Richard does.
Richard has a lot of trouble supporting Kate once she becomes a parent, and he assumes that of course she'll put in the long hours that every other employee is. He even gives her a new job that means that she'll be in Montreal for several months, and he figures that of course she would want the promotion.
Jenny Matthews: ENTP
Jenny Matthews (Jessalyn Wanlim) is an ENTP or "The Enterprising Explorer" because she can't stand a regular, typical, boring life, which is how these types approach something that is too "routine."
She may not know what she wants out of life, but Jenny does know that she hates her office job, unhappy marriage, and the idea that she has to stay home all the time now that she has a baby.
Mean Nanny: ISFP
When Anne Carlson (Dani Kind) can't get through to her daughter Alice (Sadie Munroe), she hires a woman whom she calls Mean Nanny, played by Jess Salgueiro. The results are hilarious and Mean Nanny, who believes in natural and holistic remedies and always has an answer for everything, has a vibrant personality.
This character is an ISFP or "The Versatile Supporter." The official descriptor says, "They hold firm to their values when bringing people together," which is Mean Nanny exactly. Because she has strong beliefs about the way that people should live their lives, Mean Nanny really embodies this personality typ.
Lionel Carlson: INFP
Of all the characters on Workin' Moms, Anne's husband Lionel (Ryan Belleville) is the one who would be considered an idealist, making his MBTI INFP or "The Thoughtful Idealist." They're "sensitive" and like to "help others grow and develop to reach their potential."
Lionel is always there for Anne, and when she says that she's unexpectedly pregnant in Season 1, he tells her that being a dad is how he grows as a person, so he's into it. He's definitely very thoughtful.
Ian Matthews: ESFJ
Ian Matthews (Dennis Andres) is an ESFJ or "The Supportive Contributor." Even though it's clear that Jenny isn't the best or most devoted wife, Ian does his best as a stay-at-home dad who is also writing a screenplay.
ESFJs are "friendly" and they care about other people. If they're having a stressful period in their life, they become negative and upset, and that's exactly what Ian experiences once he realizes that he and Jenny are having problems.
Val Szalinsky: ESTP
Val Szalinsky (Sarah McVie) is the leader of the mom group that the main characters attend, and also an ESTP or "The Energetic Problem-Solver." She knows a lot about pregnancy and raising kids, and she wants to share that advice with everyone.
ESTPs are described as those who "use their energy and enthusiasm to motivate others" and they are also social and people-oriented. This is totally Val, who gets pretty hurt when the other women don't seem to appreciate her or consider her a good friend.
Anne Carlson: ENTJ
Anne hates making mistakes or not having a clear view of the future, so when things don't go as planned with her family, whether she's dealing with a surprise pregnancy or her daughter misbehaving, she has trouble coping.
Anne's MBTI would be ENTJ or "The Decisive Strategist." As a therapist, she's great at helping other people set goals, and she's both "analytical" and "expressive." ENTJs hate it if they aren't the ones in charge and that's exactly Anne.
Frankie Coyne: ISTP
Juno Rinaldi's Workin' Moms character, Frankie, doesn't seem that practical or structured at first. She's definitely got a bohemian vibe going on. But the fact that she has spent the majority of her career as a real estate agent means that she's good at making things happen.
Frankie's experience with postpartum proves what kind of person she is: an ISTP or "The Logical Pragmatist." She becomes inspired by Marie Kondo and realizes that she doesn't need so much stuff, but instead of giving it away, she sells it. Frankie has a practical approach and wants to make money from her discarded objects, which is clever.
Nathan Foster: INTJ
Nathan Foster (Philip Sternberg) is Kate's husband who doesn't often seem like he really gets her. His MBTI would be INTJ or "The Conceptual Planner" because these types have a view of the future, and it's tough for Nathan to look beyond what he originally thought.
INTJs "find procrastination and disorganization stressful" which is how Nathan approaches the idea that Kate would be working in another city for a few months. He finds it tough to support her and see why she wants to advance her career.
Kate Foster: ESTJ
The MBTI of Catherine Reitman's Workin' Moms character, Kate Foster, is an ESTJ or "The Efficient Organizer."
These types "value order and structure" which is how Kate has always lived her life. But now that she's a mom, balancing her advertising job with her home life can be tough. ESTJs don't hem and haw when making a choice, and Kate is definitely good at knowing what she wants.