Name Calling

My children love one another.

My children are best friends..."buddies".

But my children? Are children. And - for good or ill - they are every bit "normal" brothers and sisters. With all the tussles and sparring - both physical and verbal - that all-too-often entails.

I look at "family" as the perfect place to learn proper interpersonal skills...here in the "greenhouse" of our home.

As I walked into the family room recently, I immediately saw Daniel sitting there with his head hanging down...his chin practically on his chest. The Boy Who Is Always Smiling...wasn't. Chin quivering, tears threatening to spill.

Me: "What is wrong, buddy?"

Daniel: "Lily Kay called me a name. And then Elisabeth and Noah laughed."

Me: "What did she call you?"

Daniel: "A bad name. A bad, bad name!"

Me: "What in the world did she call you, buddy?"

Daniel: (shaking his head...not wanting to say it out loud) "She called me...Miss Grouchy!"

What followed was a very stern talking-to with the three culprits: LK who did the name-calling...and E and N who had laughed about the whole thing. LK had intended to hurt Daniel...and it worked.

But - out of ear-shot of little ears - Jas and I had a good laugh later about that particular bad, bad name!