imLIN,

Thanks for the advice. I have to remember the "acknowledge" part, something I forget in the heat of the moment.

How do I handle name calling and negative comments? Ignore it? I've learned (for the most part) not to get dragged into a fight this way. Sometimes I'll respond along the lines of "Please don't speak to me like that." I then get told to "toughen up" or "...stop taking everything personally".