Mom, Dad, have you ever noticed that we can fight mean? And some of the worst battles are fought right inside our homes!

One of the terrible tricks we play during a family fight is to bring up past mistakes. But let me tell you bringing up the past eliminates hope.

Sure, if there’s been a pattern of behavior that’s inappropriate, there needs to be a discussion about the actions. But it never does a parent any good to bring up last year’s offenses. Eventually, your child will believe that if he can’t change what he’s done in the past, there’s no hope for relationship in the future. He’ll begin to give up.

Next time you have conflict at home, don’t fight mean. Keep the discussion squarely in the present!

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.