DISCIPLINE:
Who is in charge here?

  
By Toby Klein Greenwald and Dr. Michael Tobin
  

This drama illustrates a typical situation in marriage. Both partners are absolutely right. Yet neither one can acknowledge the other's point of view.

Andrea is 100% correct. You can't be successful in life unless you're focused and are able to delay your gratification. You've got to know how to say, "No." That's what discipline is and it's the job of a parent to help his kid understand that.

On the other hand, Ron's also right. There's too much emphasis on work and productivity in our culture. We have forgotten how to make time for friends, for family and for ourselves. We are a society of driven people who have sacrificed home and family for the marketplace.

Their challenge as a couple is to learn how to reconcile their differences so that they can teach their son how to integrate a life of friendship, play and entertainment with discipline, achievement and productivity.

How can Ron and Andrea learn to hear each other's point of view?

What do you think is their real point of difference?

 

View the Drama!

 

Dr. Tobin is the founder and CEO of WholeFamily and has been a marital and family therapist since 1974.

Toby Klein Greenwald is the Co-President and Director of Creative Development of WholeFamily.com. She is an educator, writer, photographer, married and mother of six.

 
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