“Mom, it’s really hurtful when you give me the silent treatment when you get angry at me. Can we talk about what’s going on instead?” “When I come home from school and you don’t acknowledge me or say hi, it makes me feel like I don’t matter. I really like talking to you and I want to know that you want to check in with me, too.” “I think it’s pretty disrespectful when you ignore Dad like that. It puts me in an awkward position of having to choose between you two. Next time, I’m going to call you out on it in the middle of the conversation if I have to.” “When I get a bad grade on a test and you start pointing out all the things I’ve done wrong, it makes me even more nervous to mess up the next time. I’d rather get help from my teacher so I can really improve for next time.” “I know that you don’t like my boyfriend, but it’s really hurtful when you don’t say hi to him or try to be polite. What is it that bothers you about him? I’d rather talk about it openly.” “I’m sorry you didn’t like the dinner I made, but I’d rather you just tell me flat-out than dump your dish when I’m not looking. Next time, just tell me you don’t like mushrooms before I make it.”