Small Things Count

Because children pick up our bad habits, we need to be aware of our own actions.  Do we often shout at our children?  Do we hit them sometimes—not hard, just to teach them a lesson?  Do we give our spouse more criticism than praise?  Are we comfortable with our fiancé only when we get to be boss?  Do we win arguments by threatening to walk out or get even?  Do we engage in name-calling or jealous acts, insist on making all the financial decisions for the couple, get upset when the other wants to go out occasionally with friends, or drive recklessly as a scare-tactic?  Most of us have done something like this in a weak moment at some time in our lives.  However, any one of these actions that becomes a habit or second-nature has risen to the level of domestic violence.  It’s not a small thing but a legacy that will be passed onto our children, perpetuating the problem.  Our lives are stressful, making it important to evaluate our relationships and stop the violence before it destroys us and our children’s future.