tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4196672001311955009.post-44488521313333083982007-09-25T22:21:00.000-07:002007-09-25T22:23:44.390-07:00<span style="font-family:arial;">My very best tip for stopping an argument: When responding to your partner during a discussion, <strong>first respond to their emotion (are they sad? hurt? angry? frustrated?) and then respond to the content</strong>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For example, in response to "When you are not here for dinner, I miss you and I feel like our time together is not important to you. I'd really like it if you could make it a priority to be here by 6pm, or if not, just call me and let me know when to expect you." I might say, "Sweetheart, I am sorry that I hurt you by not being home for dinner. You are a priority to me and I will make sure to be home or let you know."</span>Dr. Kathy Nickersonnoreply@blogger.com