[Warren_Piece]

My kids are constantly getting compliments, and my wife and I are usually left shrugging our shoulders because the monsters we see at home are nothing like the angels that they pretend to be in public. Both of ours should go into acting, because every foray into the outside world is an Oscar winning performance.

Amen to that. You just described my children exactly. I finally figured it out though. My wife and I are so busy fighting the battles, we don't have a good frame of reference. Our efforts are working, but we're so busy correcting our children we can't see what well behaved kids they are - on balance.

[brytlea]

Ah, but one day, you will wake up and they will be adults who you really enjoy having around! Keept at it, there's gold at the end of that rainbow!
susie

[Melas]

Amen to that. You just described my children exactly. I finally figured it out though. My wife and I are so busy fighting the battles, we don't have a good frame of reference. Our efforts are working, but we're so busy correcting our children we can't see what well behaved kids they are - on balance.

Interesting idea, and one that has merit. I'm still so busy making further corrections, that I don't see the part of the rock that's already polished.

In my case though, it's more of a matter of both my wife and being only children. I have a brother, but he's 18 years my senior. I had no sibling to rival with. Anyway...neither of us have much of a firsthand clue about this constant bickering that seems to be ever-present in the house. Luckily, they cease the behavior once they leave the house.