Nip it in the bud: The first thing you need to do is listen hard. Don't say anything- this can be mistaken for wanting a row. You need to find out what's up. If it can be undone, undo it - right now. Now apologise, and apologise again. There, job done. Row over. If it can't be undone you'll have to move onto... Suspend your ego: If it can't be undone, you're probably going to get shouted at. Being on the receiving end of a ball breaking isn't pleasant, and your first instinct may be to react in kind. Don't. However aggrieved you feel about this row - just take it on the chin. Especially if the reason for the argument doesn't mean too much to you. It will save you a lot of time and energy if you don't fight back. Hear what she has to say, and nod as if you agree. Wait for her to take a breath, and.... Apologise: Now say sorry, sincerely. Even if it wasn't your fault. Try and turn the words she has just used to berate you with into an apology- so she knows you have listened to her complaint. So for instance if her complaint is that she had to walk all the way home from ballet class in her tutu, because you didn't collect her in the car, then say "I'm really sorry that you had to walk all the way home from ballet class in your tutu, because I didn't collect you in the car." |
