Arguments with friends and family are a fact of life, but they don't have to be knock-down-drag-disaster. Here are the right and the wrong ways to handle heated situations.
CONFLICT 1
Your sister disses your new hairdo, asking ," Did you get run over by a lawn mower, or what?"
FIGHTING FOUL
Scream, "you're fat and ugly, and you dress like you just climbed out of a hamper!
FIGHTING FAIR
Resist the urge to spew obscenities and immature put-downs. A sarcastic " I'm so glad you like it" is perfectly adequate.
CONFLICT 2
A friend says that she's too sick to come to your party, but then your mom spots her at the mall with another friend.
FIGHTING FOUL
Tell her,"It's too bad that you weren't feeling up to going out last night," and see what she says.
FIGHTING FAIR
Be up-front. Say,"i heard you were cruising the mall-why did you lie to me?" Then let her explain.
CONFLICT 3
Your father is majorly pissed: You stayed out an hour late past your curfew and didn't call home.
FIGHTING FOUL
Bite his head off for being a "totally unfair,way-too-strict,pain-in-the-butt guard dog," then turn around and stomp out of the room.
FIGHTING FAIR
Apologize and admit that you were wrong, then explain why you weren't home on time.
CONFLICT 4
Your brother wants to borrow the family car, but it's your turn.
FIGHTING FOUL
Say that there's absolutely no way you'll hand over the keys, unless he agrees to do all of your chores for the rest of the year.
FIGHTING FAIR
Compromise with your desperate brother. Allow him to have the car if he'll let you use it next Friday and weekend nights.
Peace! Peace! Peace!
photos:dreamstime
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