How to Handle Arguments

Lets face it - when you love someone, whether it's your parents or your best friend or your boyfriend, you're going to argue sometimes. These arguments are a big deal because when you care about each other, the things you say to each other matter more. What we need to know is how to handle these situations.

*Talk. It's true, communication is key. And talking means not yelling. Tell him what's bothering you, how you feel, why you feel this way. He won't know unless you tell him.

*Listen. You both need a turn to talk. Communication is two sided. Just like how he needs to know what you're thinking, you need to know what he's thinking. Back-and-fourth communication where you take turns talking and listening is the focus of every good relationship.

*Don't walk away. When you're frustrated or upset, you may feel like walking away or just dropping the conversation. Avoiding the problem is not a solution. You will feel much better when you work things out together.

*Apologize. You may not want to, but think of how you felt when you two were arguing. Do you want him to feel that way? Saying 'I'm sorry I upset you' shows you care about his feelings. And sometimes we're wrong. The idea isn't to win every fight, but to admit our wrongs and apologize for them.

Keep in mind that while arguing too much may be a sign of a bad relationship, arguing once in a while is healthy. If you handle arguments the right way, they will be building blocks that make your relationship stronger and bring you two closer.

TIP OF THE DAY:
Never forget how much you care about each other. Sure you may argue sometimes, but that's why it's worth working through these tough situations - because at the end of the day you both know you care about each other and want to be together.