...We parents are naturally concerned about our children's feelings for one another. We can't help wondering, "Do they really love each other?" We can ask them, of course, but it only invites responses like, "What? Love that brat? No way."...To ease one's mind, it helps to pay close attention to the good as well as the bad and the ugly; it's so easy to miss the good. How many parents go running in response to their children's cries of joy and laughter? Usually what gets our attention is fighting—very real and intense displays of anger, jealousy and greed. "Mom! Dad! She won't let me watch my favorite program...He won't share his gum...He hit me first...Tell her to stop it!"...

Tags: communications & discipline, spirituality & values