by Guest » Tue Aug 03, 2010 4:57 pm
[QUOTE=sooners123;37004]@Rhody and Carnal
She suggested one week. I suggested to extend the break (in an attempt to keep power). You're dead on that we've gotten defensive and immature. It's something that's causing both of us stress. I can only change my way of communicating to fix it. I also agree that we can't fix a relationship by taking a break. I will call her in a couple of days and ask her to meet me to talk.[/QUOTE]
Here is some unqualified advice. If you don't want or need it, ignore it.
Don't ever expect her to change the core of who she is. You can, however, change her behavior toward you.
I would talk to her soon and say something like, "I have been thinking, and something became very clear to me. I want to work on the relationship, but taking a break feels like quitting to me, and I'm not a quitter. I want to actively work on the relationship. I care about you, and I recognize that I have developed some bad habbits with you. I have been defensive and childish. I know I'm a better man than that."
Here, you're talking about yourself, but she should see that it applies to her as well.
"What I want is for us to stop bickering and start communicating more effectively. I want to find out what the real problem is and find a solution to that problem. No insults, no defensiveness, no excuses, just problems and solutions. I think if we both do this, then we will not only solve the issues between us, but we will also show each other how much we care through our actions."
When discussing problems, it should be in the form of "I" statements. Like, "I need some time to spend with my friends" or "I feel defensive when you talk about my mother." Do not disguise "you" statements as "I" statements like, "I feel that you're a manipulative bitch." And when she tells you her problems, you just listen and say, "what do you need from me?" Never defend your feelings, wants, or needs. If she questions why you feel the way you do, just say, "I was clear about how I feel."
If you can't give her what she needs or she can't give you what you need, then it's time to walk away. A man is direct about what he wants and needs, and he walks away when he knows he's not going to get it.
If she gives you a hard time about the whole thing, then say, "you're right. It's impossible." If she doesn't argue about that statement, then she wants out. Give her what she wants.