Image: Flickr/MFer Photography

“It is dangerous to confuse children with angels.” (David Fyfe)

Yes, they look so angelic when they first arrive — well, maybe after a little clean up. But there is that moment when you hold your little bundle in your arms, and you are convinced she is an angel straight from heaven. However, it only takes a few hours for you to realize that she is clearly not.

When we place our children on this type of pedestal and expect perfection from them, we are robbing them of the freedom to take risks and make mistakes. We are also setting them up for a hard fall.

Kids are precious gifts from above, but they are in no way perfect. They will make mistakes, over and over again. They are in the process of growing, as are we, and the sooner we recognize that fact and extend a little grace, the better off we will all be.