Sorry buddy, but you took the bait whether you realize it or not.
This,
Quote:
Last night W was talking about signing S up for a couple of different extracurricular activities for this upcoming school year. I mentioned that one of the classes sounded like more fun than another when she asked my opinion. It was the more expensive of the two so I quickly rethought my position and said, "W we're really going to have to watch our pennies now."
was good. This,
Quote:
I told her that this wasn't a me against you thing. I'm not attacking you and I don't appreciate you being defensive against me. I simply rethought my first opinion because I realized that we are going to be strapped since she is BUYING A SECOND HOUSE.
was not.
I suspect she is venting at you b/c she understands the reality (strapped finances) and she sees you as the only barrier b/w her and the utopian life she has created in her mind for herself. She knows you are right, she just can't admit it. Thus, you get this,
Quote:
she's reaching for ANYTHING to make herself feel more justified.
Stand your ground. Calmly explain your position. Let her vent (unless she gets disrespectful - which is a "conversation ender"). But, don't let her pull you over the line into an emotional engagement where you try to defend your position and explain the "why's." She understands the "why's" and if you try to explain them to her, then you become even more a part of the problem.
Understand that it is good for her to get her anger out. No matter how much you feel you don't deserve it. Just be a bystander and even give her the platform to vent. Just don't step into the ring with her. That's what she wants b/c then, by fighting with her, you are justifying her reasons your M won't work.
