From The Mouths of Babes

I’m astonished as to the number of parents that have problems getting along after a divorce or breakup. If it is not one parent arguing or carrying on about one thing or the other, it’s both of them. I remember when I was going through my divorce and we both still lived in the same household, when he would come home from work, my two boys and I would be in the room watching a movie or TV and he would come in arguing about something. My youngest son was only two at the time and what he did and said put everything in perspective. He simple turned to his father and said, shh, we’re watching TV. That simple. From that moment on, I knew that whatever conversation, whatever argument I had with my husband at the time, it would not occur around the children.

When are parents going to realize that our actions adversely affects our children? Are we too emotionally caught up in the relationship or angry at the other person that we can not control ourselves around our children? I’m taking my son’s advice and being quiet when they are around. The other parent can argue or fuss until their blue in the face but as for me, I’m going to consider what my actions are having on my children.

I completely understand that our emotions are tied into the relationship with the other parent, however, our love and respect for our children should be paramount and supersede our emotions toward the other parent. So before you say another word around your children arguing and fussing with the other parent, consider this, shh.

Wait until they are not around and then resolve the issue/conflict. However, the best thing is to learn how to communicate and get past all the hurt and animosity that exist between the two of you.