During our 30-plus years of marriage, my husband, Richard, and I have had our fair share of disagreements. We’ve argued over trivial things (coffee brands, central heating temperature) as well as significant issues (family finances, child discipline). And in resolving our differences, we’ve typically chosen the art of compromise, often reaching a halfhearted middle ground where neither of us is really happy.

Compromise certainly keeps the peace, but if it’s the only tool we have to handle conflict, we may be missing out.

But there is a better way – a creative combination of the best of both of us.

Welcome to Middle School

“I’d love to help chaperone your field trip, Mrs. Acuña, but I’ve been forbidden to go,” Colin’s mom said sadly. “Apparently my son has reached the age where it’s embarrassing to have your mom around. Guess I’ll go hang out with my second-grader while he still loves me.”

Have you been caught off guard by changes in your child that mark the transition into adolescence? Suddenly your 10- or 11-year-old is less like the child you know and more like someone you don’t even recognize. Welcome to the middle school zone – even if your child isn’t actually in middle school yet.

Angel Has Fallen (R)

Mike Banning’s doctors are telling him to take it easy, but that’s hard to do when your job is protecting the president. Mike considers retirement, but before he can make any decisions, President Trumbull is attacked and Mike becomes the number one suspect in the assassination attempt.