Labels (and a Lovefest!)

I fully intend to write about what I experienced and learned at the Women of Faith conference that I attended with my mom and my sister a few weeks ago.  I hope to do this soon, and perhaps I've delayed writing about it because I am afraid that I just won't adequately convey how wonderful it all was- the venue, the music, the speakers, the messages, my fellow women of faith...

Or perhaps I've just been busy.  Either way, I've decided to share a bit of what I've learned about labeling.

So, labeling.  We do it all the time, right?  We don't even know that we are doing it.  It seems harmless enough- a label is simply a word, and it isn't even necessarily a mean word.  I really took to heart the danger of placing labels on others, and I identified how much I, myself, do not want to be labeled by others.  For example: messy, sloppy, chubby, lazy, controlling, noisy, picky.  Those are all just adjectives, yet when we apply them to people as labels, it can be damaging and can truly influence one's self perception, especially if the one being labeled is a child.  I've been trying really hard to change the way that I talk to my kids in order to avoid labels.  I didn't realize how often I do it- "Joe, you are so lazy!"  "Lucy, you are so messy!"  "Max, you are crazy!!!!!!!!!"

I think that I will try to use only positive words as labels- what damage could be done if I influence my kids to believe that they are loving, nice, charismatic, and a whole bunch of other nice words??

Here is a little practice:

The emotional one.

The sensitive one.

The thoughtful one.

The demanding one.

The opinionated one.

The happy one.

The out-of-control one.

The destructive one.

The energetic one :)

(Maybe I shouldn't give chocolate to the energetic one!)

Anyways, it is something that I have been working on- the whole labeling-people-thing.

In other news, the Sweet One and the Affectionate One and I met Katie, Ethan, and Greyson at the mall this morning to play at the boats.

Me: "Katie, do you see Max anywhere?"

Katie: "Uh.... (looking)....yup, looks like he is getting some love on the top of the slide."

Me: "Oh no! He has her pinned!" (running to save the innocent girl from Max's aggressive affection)

Katie: "No, I think she has a hold on him too..."

My dear readers, this was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time.

I'm not sure how this happened, but Max and his lady friend were as cozy as could be at the top of the slide, while other kids maneuvered around them, and while a few of us mamas pointed and giggled.

Isabella was her name, and she was so content with Max in her arms that she yawned and was near ready to take a nap right then and there.

Max just kept looking at me, with such a sense of peace in his eyes.  I had time to meet Isabella's mom, have Katie hand me my purse, pull out my camera and snap a few shots at the spectacle.  We asked each child if they were ready to go, and they both said no, they didn't care to move from this position.  I finally had to pull Max off of Isabella, and the two parted ways.

A lover boy, indeed!

Devon called from work this afternoon and asked, "How were the boats?  Did Max mount any kids?"

"Yes, and I have pictures!"