How to train a family

Well finally one of the books my son (a dragon lover) and I discovered together has been made into a film. How to Train Your Dragon about Hiccup, the weedy son of a viking chief has been made into a film. Interestingly the film actually bears no resemblance to the book with the exception of the names of the main characters. I have no idea where Astrid and the love interest popped up.

However, it did make my soppy husband cry on a couple of parts particularly with the difficult relationship between father and son. The fact that Hiccup in the film is practically the spitting image of my son, right up to the haircut (homemade and scruffy by me) and the dragon looks just like one of our two black cats made it all too realistic for him. I am sure he was quite relieved to be wearing his 3D glasses.

The relationship was eerily echoed later in the day when a DVD lovingly purchased by said husband did not receive the joyful response he had been hoping and father/son comradeship showed that it is very difficult to always get on with and understand your own offspring.

Sensitivities on both sides can always cause problems. I know from relationships with my sisters and parents, growing up that it is easy to alternate quickly between best buddies to bitter enemies. At the end of the day, the old saying blood is thicker than water can be severely tested at time. There is a need to work at it as in marriage.

If only it was as easy as resting my hand on one of my children's heads and everything would be alright. I may never be able to train the family but as long as we get on most of the time or understand enough about each other that is all I can ask for at the moment. In the meantime, Father and son are once again united and back to normal. Hiccup and Stoick are friends again!