How much does a phrase define your child?

The days of beginnings rolled into weeks of infant-hood.  As soon as she was developmentally able, Leslie began to wriggle out of my lap and out of my grasp!  She rarely wanted to be rocked or held.  She seemed to be like a wind-up toy, in constant motion in the crib, on the floor, and in the playpen.  I often doubted my parenting ability and wondered if I had only been a mom who had breastfed, if she would be more calm, Would I be more able to soothe her or better still, would she be able to soothe herself?  I am a very laid back person and I wondered if I could transfer some of my calmness to her with cuddling and rocking, if she would only let me.  I also wondered if I was somehow transferring some of my anxiety on to her causing her to be unable to settle down.  Lots of questions, but few answers!!

We somehow survived the schedule and the never-ending ear infections that had emerged.  I believed that was the primary cause of her discontent and tried to move forward.  As much as she hated being held, she loved being outside.  Her first word wasn't "mama" or "dada" but "outside."  She would go to the backdoor as soon as she could crawl and she would pull herself up and hit the door with her flat palm and say "haa-side, haa-side".  Restricting her movement, inside and outside was a problem.  She was all over the place - crawling, walking and even climbing.  She ran from one thing to another and trying to restrain her in every way was a challenge, except for the swing.  She vehemently resisted the car set, which is another story for another time.  I knew she was active and challenging, but I regret the times that I used "difficult" to describe her.  

Does your child have a trait that comes to the forefront regularly?  Are you using a negative word to describe your child to others?  If so, hold that thought!!  We may be able to re-frame that into something more positive which will benefit both of you!!