Divorce Magazine, also offers us some inside tips about how to deal with the other party’s anger:
1. Defuse anger by listening.
2. Identify where you can help.
3. Walk away or end the call if you can’t handle the anger.
4. Limit what you’ll take and how you’ll be treated.
5. Boost self-esteem through assertiveness training.
6. Deal with each issue separately.
7. Don’t take your ex-spouse’s comments too personally.
8. Stay calm. It’s not your anger.
9. Learn to recognize your own hot buttons.
10. Try a little compassion – even if it’s hard.
11. Hear the pain, shame or fear behind the anger.
12. Refuse face-to-face contact and screen calls if you sense any danger.
Note in each instance, be it your anger or the other person’s, yesterday’s and today’s lists indicate you should work on your own trigger(s) and be able to identify your own “hot buttons”. Knowing where your anger lies will help you to quit “reacting” so frequently.
Both lists contain great tips and advice about how to deal with anger through your divorce.
And remember…
“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
