Phil, back on task now ok....... Let's get back to figuring out what you need to do/work on.
Your starting to see what you are doing wrong and correcting yourself. That is a very positive step.Now it's time to start figuring out some triggers to stop you from doing them before they happen.
Where to you seem to end up in a bad way...seems to me the following:
1. Long drawn out discussions with the W.
2. Kid issues/Scheduling dillemas.
3. Text messaging....
So I guess my recommendation would be that you take a look at these three things and figure out how to "limit your exposure" to them. How can you make each one a little less hard on you. You don't have to come up with some miracle cure for each, merely a couple of small goals for yourself on each one to start the ball rolling with making progress.
ie: #3, limit your texts to 5-7 words max. No texting with wifes friend.
Understand what I am saying? I agree with Jack that there are points that are worth arguing and then there are points that are simply your personality and rather than beat a dead horse, let's see if we can get the horse to figure out how to work within his own restraints.
You are improving Phil, you have gotten much better at looking at the criticism and not taking it as a bashing. You should be proud of yourself for that. It is ok to not agree with others opinions, it is not ok to impose your own beliefs on them. You have been much better about accepting that we all have our differences.
One more question Phil, what do you have planned for yourself this weekend? Any special time with the kids? Might be a good time for some bonding with dad, something special and different.
