That ' s so cool . I never did stuff like that with my dad . <| sep |> Great was a little worreid <| sep |> This is why you engage in active listening , when you address their problem in the way you understand it . it provides them an opportunity to clear up any confusion about why they are frustrated . Replying back I am really sorry , I forgot to put the milk away , I know that ' s frustrating to you provides them the understanding that you acknowledge their feelings and want to make it right . It also allows them to say I ' m actually frustrated because you KEEP doing this , you come home and you start playing video games and you don ' t get shit done in which I would advise as a third party that swearing only escalates situations but don ' t suggest you do that P that ' s when you engage in active listening again . You are right , I have forgot the milk a few times . I will now come home and put the milk in and get other things that i need to get done first before I go play video games . This shows that you heard her , you have a plan to correct the action she doesn ' t like , and everything is good . She might also open up with thanks , I am not really frustrated at you . it ' s just this thing at work and then I come home and the milk is there and ugh just been a shitty dayDon ' t make excuses , don ' t shift the blame , just accept responsibility because regardless of whose fault it was that the milk got left out . right now she is frustrated at you for it and fighting about it wont change her mind . unless you can do it in a way that addresses the issue . Sorry , I should have put the milk away . I thought we agreed that Monday ' s were your days to put the milk away , but it was out I could have done it too .