Tag Archives: arguing

It’s the Little Stuff That Causes Discord

Have you ever noticed that it’s the little stuff that can make us crazy? When I think back to the past almost 20 years of marriage, I am amazed by the huge obstacles we have overcome. It seems like we have defied odds at times and come through some pretty difficult circumstances. Yet it’s the little stuff that can creep up and become mountains. It’s the little stuff that can cause discord. We let small annoyances, pet peeves and bad habits rule our mood. Forget the fact that we overcame the loss of a child through miscarriage…my goodness, if that … Continue reading →

Mormons and Divorce – Part Three: When Sin is Not Involved

We spoke last time about reasons for divorce that involve sin on the part of either the husband or wife. Today I’d like to discuss marriages that fail not because of sin, but for other reasons. Most of the time, when a marriage fails and sin is not an issue, the couple cites “irreconcilable differences” on the divorce decree. This covers a broad spectrum of issues including money problems, sexual problems, no longer wanting to be married, and no longer seeing eye-to-eye on important issues. The good news is, most of these problems can be fixed, if both partners in … Continue reading →

When Arguing Becomes the Norm

Some children are argumentative by nature, but even the most docile child can go through argumentative stages. It can come as a bit of a shock to a parent who has had an easy-going child to suddenly have them talking back and picking arguments with parents, siblings and adults. To a certain extent, learning how to say “no” and mean it can be a developmental leap, but arguing older kids (adolescents) can be incredibly challenging. When arguing is a stage or phase, I think it helps as a parent to avoid getting into power struggles. It can be tough, we … Continue reading →

Do They Always Have to Contradict?

I live in a household with a pack of contradictors–while I think I’ve gotten used to it after nearly twenty years I have to admit that there are times when I would like just one day…one day, mind you, when I could say something without having someone contradict me! I try to tell my kids that I am really smarter than I look and that there are people out in the world who think I know a thing or two. Of course, I think my teens are convinced that I couldn’t get myself out the door in the morning if … Continue reading →

Arguing Means Giving Up Power

Okay, I know that many of us have learned that we need to stick up for ourselves and stand our ground–but when it comes to parenting, getting into verbal tussles and arguments with our kids is a sure-fire way to send them the message that we’ve lost our cool, we’ve lost our power and that they are able to “get to us”… None of us is perfect and I know that I find myself arguing with my kids far more often than I would like. I know full well that is it unproductive and that I am really just expressing … Continue reading →