HD said: ---------------- My dilemma is, if I tell her about my appreciation for her work or deeds, she brushes it off, and if I don't, she faults me for not appreciating anything she does. That is called a Catch-22. All I can do is keep trying to be a nice, appreciative guy, and hope she gets over whatever demons keep on telling her to doubt me. ----------------
When she brushes off your appreciation, that is an opportunity to communicate. In many cases, it goes beyond opportunity and is in fact, an invitation.
She wants to believe you, but you aren't following through with the details.
Let me translate the brush off.
HD's wife: "You are just saying that because I had asked you too"
Wrong response: "If you don't want me to appreciate you then I won't"
Correct response: "Oh, babe, I really do appreciate what you have done (THEN DETAIL WHAT EXACTLY YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT WHAT SHE HAS DONE. if she looks like she doesn't understand, take her hand, look in her eyes and SAY IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME DETAILS, ONLY EMBELLISHED THIS TIME)".
It's about communication, HD. Your relationship needs some :-)
-NOPkins-
I will ferret out an affair at any opportunity.
-An affair is the embodiment of entitlement, fueled by resentment and lack of respect. -An infidel will remain unreachable so long as their sense of entitlement exceeds their ability to reason.
