Negative to Positive

In reference to a previous post (Life in a nutshell) I am trying a new approach.
When my children have a difficult time getting along aka...fighting/tattling...I have given them the task to write down 3 things they love about the other one. Tonight was going to be movie night at our house....and since they were arguing during dinner - they were told they could be dismissed after dinner and they each had to come up with 3 things they loved about the other one!! Brilliant if I do say so myself. It kept them occupied for long enough for me to get the dishes done and the rest of the kitchen tidied. They shared what they had written and then had to hug each other...which they of course weren't sure they'd like, however afterwards they were both giggling and the movie night went on with success. We'll see how long this lasts....or if they'll run out of things they love about each other. Regardless - it beats raising my voice in frustration at them and it gives them something constructive to do with their time!