Why Can’t My Husband Seem to Take Criticism Part 2

Step #1: Don’t major on the minors.

If a man hears dissatisfied comments about how he loads the dishwasher—or worse, how he interacts with the kids—it is likely he will eventually step back.

Here’s why: If men feel like they are always trying and failing, it becomes too painful for them to try again. They might even say something like “Fine! You do it,” and walk away. They’re not being overly sensitive. They really feel like they can’t get it right.

So, wives, let’s ask ourselves: who cares if the dishwasher isn’t loaded the “right” way? (It’s loaded! Just add soap, press start, and say thank you.) And it doesn’t matter that your son “grew out of” the book your husband is reading to him. They’re both having fun, and your son is loving the quality time with his dad.

Let the minor things go. Avoid the knee-jerk tendency to regularly second-guess. You might think you’re just offering suggestions, but research shows he hears it as criticism.