You spouse is angry at you. Do you know how to handle it?
Dealing with your own anger is one thing.
Dealing with someone else’s anger, especially when it’s from someone you love and care about, is a different story altogether.
Here’s an acronym (like a secret code!) you can learn right now so that the next time your spouse is angry with you, you have a new skill set and something to fall back on.
Here’s the “secret code” you can use to remember what to do when your partner is angry at you:
A = Accept that the other person is angry with you. It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong.
N = Note their perspective of the situation. What do they perceive about the situation that would make them feel angry?
G = Give yourself time to reflect on this situation. Ask the other person for some time to think about what they are saying and consider a proper action on your part.
E = Evaluate your choices. Talk to others about the situation and get their thoughts and perspectives.
R = Respond to the other person at the agreed upon time and place.
In his article, Ron Huxley also shares specific things you can SAY during some of these steps above and he goes into more detail about them also. Do you have tips for dealing with other people’s anger? What have you found helpful? Share your experiences in the comments section below…
Don’t Fix The A.N.G.E.R Exercise [Parenting Toolbox]
