Time To Break The Silence

How To Respond When Someone Gives You The Silent Treatment [Fatherly](%2F%2Ffatherly.com%2F%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/mPeX2iWQ4PZ-QopZ5McQq5SPn4k=291) Oct 14, 2022 You don’t know what you did, but you know you did something — and your partner is pissed. Their anger isn’t the main problem. Rather, it’s the way they’re handling it. Instead of communicating about your transgression, they’re not saying a thing. Maybe they’re stomping around or sighing heavily, but they certainly aren’t speaking to you. Ah, the silent treatment. Now you’re walking on eggshells, hoping the ice will melt quickly so you two can get back to normal. The silent treatment is a common game of emotional chicken, a manipulative tactic that works to inflict emotional pain on someone for a mistake. Effective? It sure can be! But it’s also an immature (and hard to break!) habit that’s extremely debilitating to a relationship. Whether it’s a rare occurrence in your relationship or a go-to defense mechanism for one partner or both, here’s how you can break through the invisible wall, address the real issue in the short term, and work together to make silent treatment a thing of the past. ADVICE %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fthe-silent-treatment-marriage-advice%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/z18ldfNaGjPJw2ajRXZcX5qGAec=291 [How To Respond When Someone Gives You The Silent Treatment](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fthe-silent-treatment-marriage-advice%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/mmqxpYBZS5bI6GCj9Q-QgfVX2gI=291) This is what to do when someone ices you out — %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fthe-silent-treatment-marriage-advice%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/_PBAY424QMYHogyK8BLXkT6S1oM=291[and how to prevent the treatment in the future.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fthe-silent-treatment-marriage-advice%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/eIOj_YQ6c2aKjOm6sOSvdc-08zg=291) [read this story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fthe-silent-treatment-marriage-advice%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/5/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/0Sx5QcgbHwRjt0MDr2or3weW1Ic=291) The silent treatment is a petty, passive-aggressive tactic used in emotional warfare. It breaks every rule of healthy communication FURTHER READING [“Phubbing” Hurts Relationships — But There’s An Obvious Fix](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fnews%2Fphubbing-study-vicious-relationship-cycle-fix%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/5W-Yb6l5WuT2SbcFRc3IHHnXQ8o=291) [What Resentment Looks Like In A Marriage: 8 Signs To Recognize](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhat-resentment-looks-like-in-relationship%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/BU0p7Ttd7aNPDFONhC6MJRsIUVo=291) [The Most Important Skill Couples Need To Master, According To Dr. John Gottman](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fskill-couples-need-to-master-john-gottman%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/cYlZFLlA7hjfFnbnkQcwbNTlKzE=291) SPLIT DECISIONS %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-does-divorce-spike-in-january%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/nIgRzLVa5CKui9ZmzZ2UW8FG-sc=291 [“Divorce Month” Is Quickly Approaching. Here’s How To Protect Yourselves.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-does-divorce-spike-in-january%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/5noxl9VpGdEGQT-DHaKroF84lTI=291) This is why marriages tend to end during this period and %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-does-divorce-spike-in-january%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/NQ6sRaJcC0dX8NtCHOkS6etoxzE=291[what couples can learn from the trend](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-does-divorce-spike-in-january%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/_R1lpwSzNGb8RnLVV6iYp55fw_k=291). [read this story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fwhy-does-divorce-spike-in-january%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/5/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/mbbMRjWTUw07-NVFl3SBYvZsAM8=291) OLD FRIENDS %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhalloween-is-grinch-night-dr-seuss-horror-movie%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/Tgu-xxZwpOB4sQdUy1mJlNai_Wk=291 [45 Years Ago, Halloween Is Grinch Night Became A Dr. Seuss Horror Movie](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhalloween-is-grinch-night-dr-seuss-horror-movie%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/x7a-MuIZaMN8nxRcHbyLBnMrqOE=291) You can’t believe this %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhalloween-is-grinch-night-dr-seuss-horror-movie%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/kHi4L1rRq1POMl8LDf_rdHKh_vk=291[deeply strange 1977](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhalloween-is-grinch-night-dr-seuss-horror-movie%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/9n7_25cy3iEuoooH8AbfCizQA0U=291)[Grinch](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhalloween-is-grinch-night-dr-seuss-horror-movie%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/5/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/jZ6qhtb0JDAHhCJN-PHOyUgyxEk=291)[prequel even exists.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhalloween-is-grinch-night-dr-seuss-horror-movie%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/6/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/dNkUn8PW6MYU3W72sIDVmq3XOt4=291) [read this story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhalloween-is-grinch-night-dr-seuss-horror-movie%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/7/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/LZxjVTlHrJng6IhBWPrHHhBQ9Pk=291) WHAT'S IN A NAME? %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fparents-who-name-baby-after-ex-lovers%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/USjl2K2M6CIGSSla6A7_9BiRyYQ=291 [Apparently, Some Parents Do Name Their Baby After Their Exes](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fparents-who-name-baby-after-ex-lovers%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/oaDiLHp7iBeiSGFEAuB7PlfDQhk=291) Adam Levine is certainly not the only one who’s (allegedly) %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fparents-who-name-baby-after-ex-lovers%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/ph7pA7aQHExlHGC_Pcc5OQg348g=291[tried to name his child after a past partner.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fparents-who-name-baby-after-ex-lovers%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/Oc08mklVwaCYy-10AQaXH9w0ifw=291) [read this story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flife%2Fparents-who-name-baby-after-ex-lovers%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/5/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/Eer5VAqXxguPC9_nI06rGSPAaBM=291) TINY BEAUTIES %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fnews%2F2022-photomicrography-competition-top-10-winners%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/StH31lJngLffeBvaBFA9pwNKEbs=291 [These 10 Microscopic Photos Will Blow Your Minds](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fnews%2F2022-photomicrography-competition-top-10-winners%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/ZUt_8M70cKF8llkRPqZsXfwT2hw=291) Gather the kids and gze upon these award-winning images of %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fnews%2F2022-photomicrography-competition-top-10-winners%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/dsQhGerIP4d7UHoiWupKFgWIPlI=291[bugs, neurons, and candle wicks captured in incredible microscopic detail.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fnews%2F2022-photomicrography-competition-top-10-winners%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/WF1UsYlgN6wGMNvzPWacxorCyow=291) [read this story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fnews%2F2022-photomicrography-competition-top-10-winners%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/5/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/czIyBNZ-5pEAnccGbZnEB1v5i9E=291) TOP PICKS %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fstyle%2Fkith-fall-2022-collection%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/7lOQXCOoNzEtCi1dFut9I5FcRJg=291 [The 5 Best Jackets And Sweatshirts From The Jerry Seinfeld X Kith Collab](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fstyle%2Fkith-fall-2022-collection%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/A1XeqNTMTF8s7ziS9yucPnFv23M=291) This perfect collaboration %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fstyle%2Fkith-fall-2022-collection%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/2IXJEw6siLZv2rqrCYQ6abTT0cU=291[yielded some killer pieces.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fstyle%2Fkith-fall-2022-collection%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/vngjAPsVgjtsdRZFGk6cVrV3KmM=291) [read this story](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fstyle%2Fkith-fall-2022-collection%3Futm_campaign=39509%26utm_medium=fatherlyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/5/01000183d809dcb9-a88a279e-4255-40e5-ae6f-92f1ed663842-000000/NJogFEEvIhc9DcZqC_QW3V7lzS8=291) You're receiving this email because you signed up to receive communications from BDG Media. 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