Labels

This past week my little one had been sick with fever and coughing. She is adamantly against taking any kind of medicine, ever. Mind you she is 2 and has been this way since about 6 months of age. This resulted in an all out struggle for me to get this chewable Tylenol in her mouth, with her consistently spitting it back at me. My frustration was building, as was hers. I was determined to get her to take that medicine just as much as she was determined to not take that medicine. Which resulted in the battle of wills. I remember just giving up and sitting on the floor and beginning to think "Oh dear God, she is just like me!" That is when the tears started to flow because just as that realization hit me, she came and crawled in my lap for a hug. I couldn't help but feel the need to pray and ask God for guidance on how to raise a strong willed child. Later that day after talking with my sister I began to think about how I was labeled as a strong willed child my whole life and how these labels given to us at an early age stick to us like glue. Have you ever noticed that? For instance when someone calls you shy, in your mind from that point on you are a shy introverted person. When you are called strong willed, like I was, you feel like you are a difficult person. Why can't we focus on the positive and say instead of strong willed, "strong" or "decisive". These labels not only attach themselves to kids but they attach themselves to adults. I have heard everything from "you are too loud" to "you are introverted" in my adult life and both resulted in me believing I was those things. I am clearly neither. Your words are powerful, so be careful how you label your kids, your friends, even yourself. Also be careful with the labels others will try and attach to you.  If God created you with a strong character trait, that people turn negative, just know that He put that in you for a reason that is higher than what any man can demise or diminish. Here are a few examples of some labels and how you can put a positive spin on them.

Strong willed- decisive, strong, determined, bold and strong in what they believe in.

Shy- discerning, careful, thoughtful, genuine.

Flighty- creative, good imaginations, inventive, exciting.

Hyperactive- fun, outgoing, makes friends easily, life of the party.

Bad listener (ADD)- great imagination.

Tattle Tale- seeker of injustices made right, law abiding.


Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  Ephesians 4:29