I know I am not the only one who has said, “Please don’t label ____.” As a parent, we become protective over our children in more than one way. Health, emotionally, physically … we want to protect them. I am protective over my children and most definitely a momma bear. My momma bear instinct is there no matter who the situation involves: family, friends and strangers. Labeling is the worst. I am here to say out loud (well in text),
Please do not label my child.
What gives some people the notion to label other children? I know a lot of us feel that we know it all when it comes to certain things, whether it be from our past experiences or the belief that they are experiencing the same thing. As a mother, it hurts to hear someone say that my child is ‘bad’ when my child is not acting typical in public.
Labeling hurts everyone.
When we are saying that a child is ‘bad,’ we are doing a whole lot of harm. That one little word not only affects the child, but the parent as well. It literally stings to hear someone say that one of my kids is ‘bad.’ Sure, there may be incidences where their behavior isn’t the best. What child is perfect? Shoot, what adult is perfect all the time? Exactly.
What about labeling in our schools? Yes, it does happen. It sadly happens more often than it should. When a child is having a bad year for one reason or another, there may be teachers who will see that child as a ‘problem.’ And yes, I am writing this from personal experience. The sad thing about this type of labeling is that in most cases the child has some type of behavior disability (ADD/ADHD). Children with an existing behavior disability are not BAD. They only need extra guidance to keep them corralled.
So what can we do?
We can do so much to prevent this from happening. The main thing is to remain open-minded. Remind ourselves that we can all have bad days. Remind ourselves that we do not know what is going on in that child’s life at that very moment, may it be problems at home or a preexisting behavior disability. Remind ourselves that kids will be kids. And lastly, be an advocate for our children. If you ever feel that your child is being labeled, do not hesitate to stand up for him / her. Make that call to the school administration, tell that other parent or individual to not label your child, and hug on that sweet child of yours. Remind them they are loved and not ‘bad.’
