What’s the Right Decision??

9 Things You Can’t Ignore About BA.2, the New COVID Variant [Fatherly](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/ttNVKibkFXEtRBSeNRwV4lLVANs=263) Joint decisions are part and parcel of parenting. Hell, the journey often kicks off with the joint decision to start a family. From there, couples face a steady march of choices What should we name our baby? Should we move closer to family? Do we have another child? What color do we paint the nursery? What show do we watch in the one hour of silence we have before we both conk out? But making decisions together as parents can be difficult. The sheer number of choices that need to be made and the stakes involved in each can overwhelm. The turbulence of the last few years hasn’t made it any easier. That said, a harmonious and equitable approach to joint decision-making takes skill but it can be learned. Here’s how couples can make the process as smooth as possible. LOVE %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/W7f99X6CytAPX8CvF3lEXLTMTfY=263 [How to Make Better Joint Decisions With Your Partner](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/1WHJNIzJ8TIqxq0z2OovLuZX1KM=263) Decisions can be tough to make as a team. [This is how to sidestep the most common (and frustrating) parts of the process.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/ZSuExvxojawFAyJ-pUJDaZtckGQ=263) [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/yjBpWDwl1ELHfdRz3rj_kRoVm4Y=263) TIPS AND TRICKS How to Break Through Someone’s Defenses There’s no one thing to say to talk to a defensive person, but it’s like any successful communication. Ellen Hendriksen, clinical psychologist and author of How to Be Yourself says to stay in the first person – “you” ups the threat level – and focus on specific acts rather than making things eternal character traits. An example: “That presentation wasn’t at your usual level” is taken better than “You’re not really good at public speaking, are you?” You can also pepper in ways to make any criticism a show of confidence, with something like, “I’m saying this because I know you can handle it and because you’re really smart.” “Turn it into faith in them,” suggests Hendriksen. But nothing is magic. Defensive people can turn the most benign comment into an attack, and there’s also something called sensitization. It’s like when hot coffee burns your tongue. Everything else, no matter how cool, will set it off, says Hendriksen. Your words, regardless of how thoughtful, can do that. In those times, acknowledge the reality. It could be, “This might not be the right time. When would be better?” Or be even more direct with, “It seems what I’m saying isn’t working. How would you approach this problem?” In either of these scenarios, you’re out of the struggle and giving responsibility to the other person to provide some insight and help with the solution. [Here are a few more things to remember when speaking to someone who often gets defensive.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fthe-secret-to-talking-to-someone-who-always-gets-defensive%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/LPxAZKbTrjbkkJdRDQrmeMpRRVU=263) FURTHER READING - [The Key to Making Big Decisions with More Confidence](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/9dScapa2E8KNvbuuXpfntLugsb8=263) - ​​​​​[Short Term Decision Making Is Destroying Us. Here’s How to Truly Plan Ahead.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fdecision-making-parents-kids%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/_Y8CFF4wRqom9z3iu41D4L4_wJ8=263) - [Facing a Huge Life Decision? Use the WRAP Method](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fbig-life-choice-decision-making-process-wrap-method%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/vytuulthQJw_wyQLiO9HAhpVAcw=263) HEALTH %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fhealth-science%2Fdont-want-to-think-about-ba-2-read-this-be-done%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/2p9llokTOmQ-Hs_ZBSyY_1zHKVQ=263 [9 Things You Can’t Ignore About BA.2, the New COVID Variant](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fhealth-science%2Fdont-want-to-think-about-ba-2-read-this-be-done%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/EpMiRWDw-34R2gy9eAZBnH-byBE=263) [The new Omicron variant is on its way.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fhealth-science%2Fdont-want-to-think-about-ba-2-read-this-be-done%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/UaG7S0Zn8VpyHoGbNrq1-3TcI9o=263) [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fhealth-science%2Fdont-want-to-think-about-ba-2-read-this-be-done%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/AafsiaeP4Qz6Mv1KmUeTE2CC7X8=263) TRAVEL %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fspring-break-trips-for-families%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/OvQetYZVmgSjE3gy63ilu7aTWeE=263 [Make Summer Happen Early: 6 Warm Weather Getaways For the Whole Family](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fspring-break-trips-for-families%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/y7R1rTWm5FsAlfVOko_ZAdzTyB0=263) Whether you're craving an adventurous family getaway at a far-off locale or some rest and relaxation stateside, [here are six family-friendly locations to consider.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fspring-break-trips-for-families%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/vQOfVcr74a2UPvqzU7Il0OWhTRM=263) [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fspring-break-trips-for-families%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/oRwnHur5xYKpMgDXjQWkKGF2G8s=263) FURTHER READING - [Shake Things Up With These Truly Epic Road Trips](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fepic-family-road-trips%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/59ihcbLzYyzWyOFx8fxVYjEjYcU=263) - ​​​​​[The Best Cross Country Family Trips in America](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fbest-cross-country-family-road-trips-in-america%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/H0bnyhnayq02H1WJGNmW3OhY2zg=263) - [17 Expert Tips For Traveling With Babies and Toddlers](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Ftravel-tips-traveling-with-toddlers-babies-children%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/tnK-r3ryrq0AnrARYWiVfdPWuUs=263) WATCH %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fstar-trek-tng-streaming-watch-with-kids-netflix-paramount-plus%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/e9McMy-PLBC22E_pn5XweKuHx-M=263 [‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Is Leaving Netflix. Watch These 5 Episodes With Your Kids Before It Does](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fstar-trek-tng-streaming-watch-with-kids-netflix-paramount-plus%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/-v7LUMqY1ZJofuLo37mWgKC6I0I=263) Boldly go with wholesome Trek. [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fstar-trek-tng-streaming-watch-with-kids-netflix-paramount-plus%2F%3Futm_campaign=25309%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/0100017fd20aee09-5f620644-4c32-4ca2-94ba-4d779dc37c06-000000/oByY9YjK8hG-QQVc2lr8dPezfyQ=263) You're receiving this email because you signed up to receive communications from BDG Media. 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