I often hear on television about the damage to a child when they see their parents fighting. I have also seen children who believe that adults arguing is perfectly normal. Perhaps somewhere in those words are truth.
We never saw our parents argue. Not ever.
That does not mean we were unaware when they had a disagreement. Mom would stop speaking to Daddy.
Daddy would say, "Want a cup of coffee, Hon?" She said nothing. Soon it was "Want a cup of coffee, Hon?" No answer.
That went on for the longest time. Finally Mom would say, "I guess so." Daddy would yell, "EMMA! Get your mother a cup of coffee!"
Disagreement over.
I went and married a feisty little man whose family argued as recreation. Silly me. From watching movies and television I thought that yelling meant you would get a divorce.
The first time I met my in-laws-to-be my mother-in-law was mad at my father-in-law. She came in from the kitchen to wag her finger and really tell him off. My mouth dropped open and pretty much stayed open.
She yelled until she got tired then said, "Oh ring off!" She went back into the kitchen. When she had collected herself she was right back yelling at my father-in-law.
It happened several times before we left. I was in shock.
My parents were happily married for almost 40 years until my father died. My in-laws were happily married for more than 75 years until my father-in-law died.
It just shows that there are all sorts of families. As long as the arguing is not physical it is normal for them.
