• Please try to understand my point of view.
• Wait, can I take that back?
• You don’t have to solve this–it helps me just to talk to you.
• This is important to me. Please listen.
• I overreacted.
• I see you’re in a tough position.
• I can see my part in this.
• I hadn’t thought of it that way before.
• I could be wrong.
• Let’s agree to disagree on that.
• This isn’t just your problem, it’s our problem.
• I’m feeling unappreciated. [Always, my craving for gold stars!]
• We’re getting off the subject.
• You’ve convinced me.
• Let’s take a break for a few minutes. [If you can remember to do this, it's extremely effective - especially if you're having a big fight. After a break, it's almost impossible to go back to yelling.]
• Please keep talking to me.
• I realize it’s not your fault.
• That came out all wrong.
• I see how I contributed to the problem.
• What are we really fighting about?
• How can I make things better?
• I’m sorry.
• I love you.
