"Unperfect" Parent

Sometimes we really don't understand the workings of a child. In striving to be the best or fit in with the proverbial "Jones'" we rush our children into maturity. All too frequently this results in putting negative labels on our kids. Maybe instead of expecting "perfect" children we should embrace their innocence and let them be kids for as long as possible.
S/He is not Hyperactive but Energetic
S/He is not Impulsive but Spontaneous
S/He is not Distractable but Creative
S/He is not a Daydreamer but Imaginative
S/He is not Inattentive but a Global thinker with a wide focus
S/He is not Unpredictable but Flexible
S/He is not Argumentative but Independent
S/He is not Stubborn but Committed
S/He is not Irritable but Sensitive
S/He is not Aggressive but Assertive
I remember a time, not too long ago, when someone I knew and trusted suggested my (then 6 year old son) had A.D.H.D. This person worked very closely with children so I valued her opinion, but I remember telling her "He's fine. He's a normal 6 year old boy." My son is now a very normal 8 year old boy, and no, he does not have A.D.H.D. However, my feeling were (and still are) very hurt by her comments. It seems it was too easy for her to label my son with a "defect" when, in fact, it was just that she could not handle the energy of a young boy.
We will all look back in 5 - 10 - 15 years and say to ourselves "where has the time gone?". It's rather simple, they grew up too fast because we pushed them to. Let them be kids while they still can be.