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

“Oh, she’s such a little angel,” we might say when she’s 18 mos. We mean well, ‘cause we’ve been conditioned to praise good behavior whenever we see it. We think we can shape the future by labeling the present.

But then the truth always rears its pretty head: no one is ever always anything. No one is ever always smart. No is ever always stubborn. No one is ever always pretty, or diligent, or kind, or…an angel.

So, when your little angel turns two, and begins to act more human…does that mean she’s now a fallen angel? Like a devil?

You gave her a name; she doesn’t need a descriptive label as well.