relational skills

We have to deal with rather than anesthetizing tension with TV or video games.  It's easier to bypass relational snags with a convenient distraction, forfeiting the chance to improve problem solving and listening skills.  I don't want my kids to be more comfortable interacting with a computer screen than a human being.  We stay the course until we've resolved an issue, not allowing "Phineas & Ferb" to fill the space instead.  This is harder and requires more time, but my kids will marry people and have bosses and children.  Learning healthy relational skills is now or never. -Jen Hatmaker