It's not new, conflict has followed us from wood blocks to cell phones, but the power has recently been cranked up on the conflicto-meter to the point of shrill, ear splitting feedback. I try to impart the techniques of conflict resolution on my kids, sometimes they listen sometimes they.... what am I saying? They never listen!
Our home has also been filled with animals of diverse type, each forced into compulsory and sometimes stressed relationships with their humans and each other. No one asked the mature cat with established turf if she'd like to share her space with a new kitten. The bird did not knowingly sign up to live life in a confined space with predators.
Our home is a complex web of relationships between 13 creatures of various species, many of whom are at each other's throats. With a little understanding, and some coaching... we manage. For instance, take this recently witnessed exchange:
BIRD - "When you look at me like that it makes me feel as if you want to eat me."
CAT - "What I hear you saying is... you taste like chicken."
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