Sometimes, the best way to avoid a conflict is to just drop it.
No, I’m not talking about avoiding. Avoiding just postpones conflict, it doesn’t resolve it. I’m suggesting that not everything is worth a conflict. The biblical proverb warns, “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” Look, not everything is a hill to die on especially if your marriage or family is already stressed. If you can be generous with mercy, let it go.
July 1, 2016
Hey co-parents, for the sake of your kids find a way to do business.No, you may not be a couple any more, but you’re still raising your kids together. Cooperation between homes is a must. But it’s tough after a broken relationship and that’s an important distinction. Talk about parental things not personal ones. Parental topics include Johnny’s health, school matters, and managing his social media time. Separate the old marital pain from the current parenting matters. Ask God to help you set aside your personal hurt so you can be the best possible parent.
June 30, 2016
Meddling mother-in-law? What if you have a meddling ex-wife-in-law?
While dating, Nicole never anticipated how intrusive Tom's ex-wife would be. At first, Sharon seemed focused on being a mother so Nicole assumed once she and Tom married, Sharon would stop her late-night texts and unannounced visits. She was wrong. Nicole had an unrealistic expectation and she minimized Sharon’s behavior. Here’s the point: to marry a divorced person is to gain a mother-in-law and a father-in-law and an ex-spouse in law. Be sure you understand that when you say, “I do.”
June 29, 2016
Want your friends to like who you love? Be careful what you say.
Proverbs 17 in the Bible says, “Whoever covers (or forgives) an offense seeks love. But he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Letting go of something that hurts you is an act of love that restores the relationship. But telling others about the offense can turn them against the one you love; so, keep the matter private. In a stepfamily, a parent should not tell their children negative things about the stepparent. Rather, share reasons why you love the stepparent so they will, too.
June 28, 2016
His kids have a TV in the bedroom and hers don’t. Now they’re a family so now what?
Two parents in a blended family having two sets of rules and not knowing which to choose is pretty common. The solution? First, get on the same page. You can’t have two standards for kids living in the same home. Second, ask yourself what’s developmentally appropriate and what’s good parenting? In this situation, pediatricians agree that a TV in a kid’s bedroom is not a good idea. Sometimes, common sense makes the parenting choice. But no matter what, always be unified in leading your family.
June 27, 2016