Marriage and Family: Resolving Differences
It usually isn’t until children arrive on the scene that a couple realizes they have different views on what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to decisions about child discipline. Sure you may have a philosophical discussion beforehand and think you’re both on the same wavelength. But then your child is born and things change. Perhaps you vowed to be strict with them only to find that you struggle to refuse any request they put to you. Or maybe you always imagined yourself being soft and loving and find instead you’ve turned into Attila the Hun.
For example, perhaps you both agreed that you won’t ever strike your child but then they niggle away at you for so long you feel youself snap and then its done and there is no turning back. Your partner understands, sort of, but isn’t happy about it either.
How do you reconcile your ideals and your reactions? And how do you work out those differences with your other half?
There are many books and marriage counsellors who will tell you that it isn’t OK to argue in front of the children. But how do children learn to resolve conflicts and gain a realistic view of marriage if all disagreements are kept behind closed doors?
Read on for some practical parenting tips on this touchy subject…