It's not just what you do it's the way you do it!

I have just been reminded of something I said in my last CBT session. We were discussing the positive influences in my life and an odd thought struck me - during my childhood the TV frequently became an object that caused much stress in my family and I resent my father for not letting me watch children's programmes and particularly cartoons as a child but oddly a family friend who we lived with for some time didn't have a TV and yet whilst although the family friends actions prevented me from watching TV completely I admired and respected him for it!

The difference between the two situations? My father just wanted to watch his own programmes or use the TV as a tool against me whilst the family friend took the opportunity to use the lack of TV to teach me things like chess, cards, building bonfires and working in the workshop.

This is an important lesson for me and hopefully the next time I don't want my children to do something I will not just stop them from doing it but also invest the time in them to encourage them to do something positive instead.