12 Smart Things Every Father Should Teach His Kids

There are some things, from common-sense knowledge to people skills to potentially life-saving tricks, all kids should learn. And no matter how hard or uncomfortable some of the lessons may be to teach, it's your job, Dad, to instill them. Be sure to hit these 12.

1. Teach a Solid Handshake

Model proper technique by putting 'er there: Press the web of flesh between your thumb and index finger into his so he feels it; that ensures proper placement. Then wrap your hand around his and squeeze gently for two or three seconds. Key point: Eye contact and a slight smile are essential. The double pump, while conveying enthusiasm, isn't.

2.  Instill a Healthy Respect for Guns

Your kid might become vice president one day. Demonstrate how to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times—downrange, toward the ground or up in the air—while explaining that every gun should be considered a loaded gun.

3. Learn Left from Right

Righty tighty, lefty loosey. That's how to remember which way to turn a screwdriver, wrench—or the lid from a jar of pig's knuckles.

4. What to Do When Stopped by a Cop

1. Keep your hands where police can see them.
2. Never run, resist, complain or touch an officer.
3. Address the police officer as "sir" (or "ma'am") or "officer." If he's wearing three stripes or a single silver bar, saying "yes sergeant" or "no lieutenant," respectively, may score you some points.

5. Proper Condom Use

When you have your "talk" with your son (or daughter—she needs to know this stuff, too), cover all of these points about condom use (and when you're done, present him with his very own box of rubbers).

1. Check the expiration date. Condoms are good for 5 years but those with spermicide expire after 3 years.
2. Never store them in your wallet or car glove box (pressure and high temperatures will render them ineffective).
3. Always use one, even with oral sex.
4. Break out a new one with every encore performance. Reusing one isn't worth the risks.

6. How to Console Someone

At some point or another while they're growing up, your children will need to console a relative or a friend who's just lost a family member. To make the encounter less clumsy for your kids, help them prepare a message that comes from the heart. (They should never say something like "I guess it's for the best that she's gone" when her friend's sickly Grandma Bertha dies.)

In the case of a grieving classmate or friend, they should invite the other child over to play or hang out or to go to the movies with your family. Even if the friend declines, the effort your kids made will not go unappreciated and will strengthen their relationship.

7. The Right Way to Dress

While your son might be reluctant to hear it, give him this advice from Andy Gilchrist, author of The Encyclopedia of Men's Clothes.

1. Trousers are long enough if they have a light break in the front, and they should fully cover socks to avoid a "where's-the-flood" look.
2. Shirts should show a quarter- to half-inch reveal when wearing a suit or sport jacket.
3. Ties should descend to the belt line. A properly executed tie will show a dimple under the knot.
4. Socks should be long enough to completely cover the shins when legs are crossed.
5. Belts should match the color of shoes and end just past the first loop on your pants.

8. Calculate a Tip

Encourage your kids to tip well for good service—in our book that's at least 20 percent. (If they think that's too generous, lay this on them: "Some day you might find yourself working at Friday's.")

The simplest way for your kids to calculate a 20 percent tip is to multiply the pretax amount by 2 and move the decimal point over one position to the left. For a P135 tab: 135 x 2 = 270. Slide the decimal between the 7 and the 0, and you get a P27 tip. Feeling generous? Throw in a few more bucks. Does the server merit only 10 percent? Use the method above but instead multiply by 1.

 9. How to Defuse an Angry Person

The best way to handle an uncontrollably angry person is not to say "Calm down" or "Breathe"—unless your aim is to fan the flames, says Rick Brinkman. Ph.D., who runs communication seminars for IBM and Boeing. Let the person vent for a moment while you compose yourself. Then calmly say, "I can see you're upset. I'll listen to what you have to say, if you're willing to listen to what I have to say. Okay?"

Follow that up with a question that leads him out of the situation: "What do you say we resolve it this way?" By asking a question, you give him the illusion of being in control. If this approach fails, walk away.

10. Make Your Teen a Safe Driver

Have your kid log at least 100 hours of instruction at the wheel, says Phil Berardelli, author of Safe Young Drivers. "The 6 hours most states mandate is inadequate," he explains. "Take time to expose him to rain, snow, night, fog, highways."

Once he has his license, limit carpooling. A study by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Injury Research and Policy found that teen drivers with two passengers are 86 percent more likely to die in a crash than are teens driving alone. Also restrict night driving. The Connecticut Transportation Institute says drivers ages 16 to 20 are 66 percent more likely to have an accident at night than they are during the day.

11. Help Your Kid Get into College
To give your child the competitive edge, start planning in the ninth grade, says Michele Hernandez, an Ivy League—college consultant and author of A Is for Admission. Here's a quick guide to making the most of ninth grade.

12. Discipline Your Son for Drinking or Smoking Pot

Don't freak. "A vein-popping lecture will drive him away and shut down any chance of a meaningful discussion," says Xenia G. Becher, coauthor of Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Drugs. After you've cooled down and talked about the issue with your wife, meet in your son's room; he'll be more receptive on his own turf.

Explain that you're concerned he's not making smart decisions. "Reinforce the message that he needs to stay clear-minded and focused in life and that drugs will knock him off those paths," says Becher. If he asks whether you smoked pot or drank when you were his age (and he will), don't let him steer the conversation away from himself. "Telling him what you did or didn't do isn't important," says Becher. "This is not a 'true confessions' moment. Disclose only if it helps.
____________________________________________________
  Source:
http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/parenting_tips_smart_lessons/discipline_your_son_for_drinking_or_smoking_pot.php

When the Nose No Longer Knows

Smell and Taste Disorders in Elders 

There are certain things in this world that we ignore most especially when it comes to Men’s health. Men usually  loves to eat what ever they want, we cannot barely imagine what kind of appetite do they have , sometimes they eat a lot though they feel that they were full. But who would resist the savory taste of adobo (Philippines favorite). The spice and hotness of Bicol express (a special dish originated in Bicol region, Philippines). The delicate taste of Kare-Kare.  The mouth watering aroma of the hot pandisal at Graceland Bakers Plaza. Just a few words about the smell and taste of food can evoke pleasant images and stimulate appetites. But where does that leave people who have a disease or disorder, or are on a medication that interferes with these two vital senses? What about those who find that the physiological changes of aging leave that sweet apple pie tasting flat or even sour? They start pushing food away, losing weight, and putting themselves in jeopardy for further problems.

Olfactory (smell) and gustatory (taste) impairment can be caused by normal physiological changes associated with aging, but many chronic or acute disorders and some medications can be the culprits. People tend to add extra salt and sugar to counteract the tastelessness they perceive in their food, which can pose a particular health risk for those with chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes.¹ Likewise, when it becomes critical for people to follow a therapeutic diet, such as a low-sodium diet, loss of smell and taste can quickly lead to non-compliance. Smell and taste are protective to all of us by detecting toxins, polluted air, gas leaks, smoke, and spoiled food. Losing these senses jeopardizes our basic safety.  A sudden loss of smell can even provoke depression in some people. Sometimes these deficits raise a warning flag for more serious underlying conditions, such as brain lesions and tumors.

An array of medical terms identifies the different types and degrees of olfactory and gustatory impairment. Anosmia is the complete loss of smell, while hyposmia describes a partial but diminished sensitivity or acuity of smell. Similarly, ageusia is a complete absence of taste, while hypogeusia is a diminished sensitivity or acuity of taste.

Olfactory and gustatory impairment can affect all ages, but it’s most common in elderly persons. Typically, sense of smell and taste starts to diminish after about age 50 and worsens progressively with time.

An estimated 50% of adults 60 or older are affected by some loss of smell; while taste is less affected, it also diminishes with age. Almost half of elders who experience a smell or taste disorder report a resulting decrease in appetite. As the elderly population continues to expand rapidly, these problems are expected to create a growing health challenge.

From Taste Buds to Nasal Receptors

The tongue’s taste buds recognize four basic properties — salty, bitter, sweet, and sour — independent of the sense of smell. In contrast, olfactory sensors in the nose can detect a much larger variety of aromas and odors. Together, tastes and aromas produce flavors; for a person to recognize most food flavors, smell and taste must work together. Approximately two-thirds of taste acuity depends on smell.

Taste and smell are chemosensory in nature, or known as the chemical senses, because they detect the chemicals or molecules from which aromas or flavors originate. For example, when your host greets you at the door, you know in an instant that a lamb roast is cooking in the oven and an apple pie is cooling on the kitchen counter. You can name the menu before you see it as millions of airborne molecules, or odorants, fill the air. Mucus traps these molecules when you inhale them and dissolves and distributes them to the appropriate olfactory sensors or receptors. These sensors are clustered in the olfactory epithelium located at the top of the nasal cavity. A moist nasal cavity aids in the stimulation of the olfactory neurons in the receptors. The neurons produce the electrical impulses that are carried along the olfactory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as odor or aroma.

Taste buds are onion-shaped structures of 50 to 100 taste cells, also known as gustatory cells. Each has fingerlike projections called microvilli that poke through an opening or pore at the top of the taste bud. The tongue contains most of the taste buds, although some are also scattered over the soft palate, pharynx, and larynx. Chemicals from food dissolve in saliva and contact the taste cell through the taste pore, where they communicate with certain proteins on the surfaces called taste receptors. These interactions trigger signals to the brain along three cranial nerves: the facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), and vagus (X), depending on where the taste impulses arise.

The Roots of Smell and Taste Problems

Many factors can cause alterations or disturbances in olfactory and gustatory pathways that lead to impairment. These include physiological changes associated with aging, systemic diseases, oral disorders, some medications, malnutrition, and environmental agents.

Aging: Physiological changes associated with aging are a potential cause of reduced taste and smell sensitivity in elders. The numbers of taste cells and sensory receptors decline as people age. Taste buds detecting salty and sweet properties are most affected. Saliva production, which helps to dissolve chemicals in food or drink and transport them to the taste buds, diminishes in elders, causing mouth dryness. Similarly, elders experience a gradual atrophy of their olfactory system.

Diseases and disorders: Several medical conditions can further degrade the acuity of smell and taste in elders. For example, gingivitis and periodontitis release bad-tasting materials in the mouth that interfere with external smells. Tumors or lesions in the oral cavity or brain can damage the gustatory pathways, nerves, or relevant parts of the brain. Allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, or polyps can cause swelling of the nasal mucosa or create obstructions, preventing air from reaching the olfactory area.

Some upper respiratory infections, such as influenza, can destroy nasal receptors, often causing permanent anosmia. Systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, can affect smell and/or taste in some cases because of olfactory or gustatory neural damage.

Medications and other causes: Medications are an important and frequently overlooked cause of olfactory and gustatory impairment, often an issue for elders who may take several. Numerous drugs are known to alter smell and taste by acting on peripheral receptors, the chemosensory neural pathway, and/or the brain. For example, antidepressants, antihistamines, and anticholinergics cause mouth dryness, thereby reducing taste acuity. Local decongestants, such as naphazoline, paralyze nasal cilia.

Selected Medications That Can Cause Taste/Smell Dysfunction 

• AIDS and HIV drugs: didanosine (Videx), zalcitabine (Hivid), zidovudine (Retrovir)
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: colchicine, dexamethasone (Decadron), gold (Myochrysine), hydrocortisone (Aeroseb-HC, Hydrocort)
• Anti-ulcer, anti-GERD: omeprazole (Prilosec)
• Anticonvulsants: phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamezapine (Tegretol)
• Antidepressants: amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Nopramin), doxepin (Sinequan)
• Antihistamines and decongestants: chlorpheniramine (Chlo-Amine), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Antihypertensive and cardiac medications: captopril (Capoten), clonidine, diltiazem (Cardizem), enalapril (Vasotec), nifedipine (Procardia), nitroglycerin, propranolol (Inderal), furosemide (Lasix)
• Antimicrobial agents: ciprofloxacin (Cipro), tetracycline, clarithromycin (Biaxin), sulfasalazine, metronidazole (Flagyl)
• Antineoplastics: cisplatin (Platinol), vincristine (Oncovin)
• Antiparkinsonian drugs: levodopa (Larodopa; with carbidopa: Sinemet)
• Bronchodilators: albuterol sulfate (Proventil, Ventolin), cromolyn sodium
• Hyper- and hypoglycemic drugs: glipizide, diazoxide, phenformin and derivatives
• Hypnotics and sedatives: flurazepam (Dalmane), quazepam (Doral)
• Lipid-lowering agents: lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Muscle relaxants: baclofen (Lioresal), dantrolene sodium (Dantrium)
• Other: allopurinol, calcitonin, iron, nicotine, potassium iodide, vitamin D/Calcitriol
• Thyroid drugs: methimazole (Tapazole)

Cigarettes, alcohol, illicit drugs, hot liquids, or other environmental factors may also injure taste buds. On the palate, dentures may cover taste buds.  In addition, head or nose trauma can damage the olfactory bulbs, nerves, or brain lobes. Radiation therapy of the head and neck can cause mouth dryness and directly damage taste receptors. Malnutrition in the elderly could also further diminish the chemosensory perception.

Reference:

When the Nose No Longer Knows

Smell and Taste Disorders in Elders

By: Wiera Malozemoff, RN, MS, CS and Devin Sue Barriault, RN, MSN, CMSRN and Colleen Manning Osten, RD

www.nurse.com

What does your Color Means?

That's right!, have you asked your self what does your color means?  I mean, what your semen color means? Men usually ignored this, because they thought it is normal specially when there's no pain at all.. but not all of men are the same. Thanks to one of my reader who asked me this question... though at first I was skeptical of writing this blog because I even don't care what does my semen's color means..because there's nothing unusual. 

Semen color and consistency can vary based on several factors, such as age, diet and frequency of ejaculation, according to Dr. Todd B. Nipoldt. Semen is normally a whitish, cloudy fluid. It's usually quite thick just after ejaculation, but liquefies about 20 to 30 minutes later. However, yellowish-green semen may indicate a prostate infection. Changes in the appearance of semen are usually temporary and not a health concern. However, sometimes these changes can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires further evaluation. If these changes persist for longer than a week or two or if the color change is associated with other symptoms such as pain, fever, sexual dysfunction or blood in the urine, see your doctor for an evaluation. 

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Source:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/discolored-semen/AN00779

ACERN.Talk: Men's Health: Birth Control: OUTERCOURSE

ACERN.Talk: Men's Health: Birth Control: OUTERCOURSE: In search of continues way of how to control the rocketing number of population, church and state battle about using of the modern contra...

Birth Control: OUTERCOURSE

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ACERN.Talk: Men's Health: ACERN.Talk: Men's Health: Birth Control: OUTERCOURSE

ACERN.Talk: Men's Health: ACERN.Talk: Men's Health: Birth Control: OUTERCOURSE

WOMEN YOU SHOULD NEVER DATE

Gentlemen this article is one you should take a print out of and carry in your pocket at all times simply

because it will give you a very vivid picture of the kind of women you MUST NOT DATE. I am sure at some stage in your life you must have fallen for the wrong girl and then shed many-a-tear over her. In case you have been lucky and escaped such trauma, congratulations! But don’t get over-confident because s**t can hit the fan anytime.

You must keep the distance if and when you come across women with traits as described below.

1. The Nagger 

Most men complain that all women nag. Firstly, not all women nag. Secondly, nagging to a certain extent is fine. It becomes a problem when it exceeds that certain limit. If she is constantly on your case and is not letting you be then you should decamp asap. She is your girlfriend and not your school teacher to nag you at every opportunity that presents itself. And if she can’t help but be that crazy teacher, you should at least help yourself by not being with her.

> Female nature
Most women nag because it is in their nature to do so. They grew up watching most of the women around them doing it and were taught that it was the best way to handle men and their occasional inability to function on a normal human level. This applies even more so to the women who are just coming of age, as they were brainwashed even more by television

Here are types of Naggers:  The Innocent, The Chatter Box, The Riddler, The T-Rex   http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_60/86b_dating_advice.html

2. The Possessive / Obsessive Stalker

She calls you every two hours? She messages you every half an hour? She gets upset the moment you look at another woman and throws a fit when you talk to another lady? She likes it when you wear her favourite colours but feels sad when you wear one that she doesn’t like?
If the answer to the above questions is a yes then you NEED to NOT see her ever again. Some women get possessive and obsessive to the point that they suffocate you and thus stunt your growth as a human being. You cannot and should not become her shadow or a person of her liking alone. Protect your identity and guard your self-respect by giving her the boot.

> When women call or text  you every now and that is sweet but to ring you every hour or send you text message every half an hour that's annoying but mind you there are some guys that are  possessive / obsessive stalker but still women out number the guys in this matter. So when the guy stop seeing you, you must think whether your suffocating them.  

3. The Attention Seeker

All women like to get as much attention as possible from their man. But some women make a nasty habit out of it. They will be on their best behaviour as long as they are the centre of attraction and will totally flip the moment the attention shifts. Let’s be practical. It is wrong of your girlfriend to want to be the centre of your life for an indefinite period of time. After all you have friends, family, work which deserve your attention as well. As soon as you realise she is asking way too much of your time and that she is crawling into your personal space ask her to back off. If the problem persists after repeated warnings it is advisable for you to back off.

> This is very common specially when the man women start dating, they told as if your spending more time with your friends than her, remember both of you should have personal space though seeing everyday is fine but family and friends are the getaway when both of you having a problem or even when you broke up... "Remember family and friends are priceless treasure you can kept for a lifetime" . 

4. The Emotional Wreck

While men love to be the hero in a girl’s life please avoid playing hero in the life of a damsel in distress. It is romantic to think that your love will bring her out of her misery and she will see the good you did for her and so be yours forever. Yes, your love will help her get emotionally better but that does not mean she is going to fall for you. Falling for an emotional wreck will drain you emotionally and you might not get much in return.

> Sometimes women thought men are insensitive, but to tell you we are not we simply manage our emotion because we do not want to act emotionally wrecked.
Here's how to test if your woman is emotional wreck (  http://www.lifescript.com/quizzes/personality/are_you_an_emotional_wreck.aspx )

5. The Material Girl

This one is pretty simple. If she is only after your money then she is no good. She will distance herself from you when she finds a more affluent man or when your pocket strength weakens. Building emotional ties with her is futile and so is expecting a steady stable relationship. (Dating, MensXP.com)

5 Grooming Mistakes Men Make

When it comes to being a “man’s man”, grooming plays such an important role, 

and it is surprising how so many men out there get even the most basic of grooming essentials wrong. Whether it’s about being the top cat at the office or being a hit with the ladies, you need to know how to play your cards right, or you will never win.

Here are five common grooming mistakes that you should ideally avoid.

1. Smelling too good can be bad!

This is one of the most common grooming bloopers observed with men. When it comes to cologne or deodorants there is a tendency to go overboard with the amount that is applied or sprayed. This will have a reverse effect causing people to run away from you. Remember that these fragrances are meant to enhance your natural scent, not overpower everybody’s nostrils. Subtle works best.

2.Locking away the razor

A lot of men are caught up with the macho look and start sporting stubble to get that look right. But the thing is, too much stubble just makes you look shabby and unkempt. The stubble look is not for everyone. If you have a face that can pull it off make sure you use a trimmer to keep it down to the bare minimum. If you work in an ultra-professional corporate environment, then it’s time to bring out the razor. A clean shaven look can never go wrong, but not keeping that stubble under check, certainly can.

3. Skin ill-treatment

Some men are under the false impression that skin care is a girly thing. It most certainly is not. Although men’s skin is tougher than women’s, it is still susceptible to aging, wrinkles and other skin ailments. So, make sure you get plenty of moisturizer wherever needed, use a face wash daily and drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated and younger looking.

4. Hair or there?

Your mane is perhaps the best asset that you will possess so make sure you take good care of it. Depending on your hair type, take some time out to visit a salon and get some professional advice and styling done. At home, use products but don’t go overboard. Men have this tendency to slap on way too much gel making their hair look very gooey. Just a little bit worked well into damp hair with the fingers should do the trick. Also, be sure to use shampoo and conditioner.

5. Bad dental can make you look mental

Oral hygiene is supremely important, especially when you are in an environment where you need to work with many people. Too many men out there take this for granted and if you have ever wondered why people tend to make a run for it when they see you, now you know. Use mouthwash daily and equip yourself with a pack of mints when on the move. Avoid eating garlic and onions before walking in to a meeting or going on that special date.

Getting your act right when it comes to grooming will not only make you a more socially acceptable and enjoyable person but you will also have a certain feel good factor about yourself. Self-confidence, charisma and personality are few of the positive side effects of good grooming habits.

Your toothbrush might be the nastiest thing you have to deal with every day.

Can your toothbrush make you sick?

According to scientists at England University of Manchester, there are more than one hundred million bacteria living in your uncovered toothbrush, including staphylococci which causes skin rashes and E. coli which causes diarrhea.
No need to panic, as your mouth is not free of micro-organisms after all. In fact there is hundreds of bacterial flora which lives normally in our oral cavity without causing any oral diseases. The problems start when the balance between bacterial floras is disturbed.
Actually, you are the source of bacteria on your toothbrush, as every time you use your toothbrush to remove plaque (full of bacteria) from your teeth, you are automatically reloading your toothbrush with more and more bacteria.
Now, the most important question: can your toothbrush cause your sickness?
NO. There is no clinical evidence that your toothbrush will cause you illness despite the huge number of bacteria living in it, thanks to your natural body immune system.
However, here are some nice tips to store your toothbrush:
1. Don’t store your toothbrush near your toilet “Don’t brush where you flush”.

Nowadays, most bathrooms are very narrow; actually, there is no much between your bathroom sink (where you normally keep your toothbrush open) and your toilet. Unfortunately, it is a proved fact that each toilet scatters bacteria in the surrounding media each time you flush. So believe me you don’t want to put your toothbrush anywhere near your toilet.
2. Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with clean tap water each time you finish using it.
3. Always store your toothbrush dry as bacteria love moisture, make sure your toothbrush cover is dry as well.

4. Store your toothbrush in an upright position instead of lying it down.
5. Make sure nobody else uses your toothbrush. Usually, toothbrush bristles (however soft they are) cause minute wounds to the gingiva, leaving minor traces of blood behind. It is really better to avoid storing your toothbrush in the same cup of other people toothbrushes’.
6. Toss your toothbrush regularly. The American Dental Association advises you to change your toothbrush every 3-4 months; this is the best way to eliminate bacteria.
But what about toothbrush sanitizers, do they really work?
Till now, there is no evidence that using these products can prevent bacterial growth on your toothbrush 100%. However, some of them can effectively kill pathogens. If you are really interested in using a toothbrush sanitizer, make sure it is proved by FDA.

 

 

11 Ways to Calm Down an Angry Woman

  1. Lower Your Thermostat

Whatever you do, don't get angry. Surprisingly enough, she won't consider it righteous; she'll just get more pissed off, and a little self-righteous besides. If you feel yourself heating up, just remember that "she can't make you angry," says Paul Hauck, Ph.D., an Illinois psychologist and author of How to Cope with People Who Drive You Crazy and Overcoming Frustration and Anger. "And you didn't make her feel angry. She did. You may be responsible for her problem, but not her emotional reaction."

  2. Don't Feed Her Data

"A man generally tries to win an argument by coming up with facts that are totally meaningless to her," says Michael Staver, the author of 21 Ways to Defuse Anger and Calm People Down. "She filters that as being disrespectful and not listening, which ticks her off all the more."

  3. Own Up . . . Maturely

"If you're wrong, just admit it," says Staver. "But don't do it in a condescending way."

  4. Tune In

"If she has a big problem," says Hauck, "you'd better listen." And don't wait till swords are drawn. Like an orgasm, anger follows a bell curve—at the top you're completely out of your mind. So if you're seeing signs of frustration (a sigh or roll of the eyes), you'd better start listening quick, for the apex is near and things are about to go downhill fast.

  5. Take a Step Back

"You don't have to agree," says Staver. "But acknowledge her perceptions as real. It shows that you respect her." Often, her anger is triggered because she believes something's 1) unfair, 2) out of her control, or   3) a personal attack. Address these concerns.

  6. Assert Your Eyes

If you can't make eye contact, it means you're becoming angry. But if you can, it shows you're listening. Psychologists have seen a classic pattern in marital fights: The wife gets mad, the husband shuts down, the wife goes nuts. You shut down because you want to avoid a battle, but she thinks you're avoiding (here comes that dreaded word) intimacy.

  7. Get Engaged

Ask questions. "It shows you're listening, and it implies you want to listen to her more," says Staver.

  8. Hit the Road—Together

Taking a walk may sound dumb, but it's actually a neat trick. Physically, you just got her to move with you, rather than against you. "Taking a walk is calming," says Susan Heitler, a Denver clinical psychologist and author of The Power of Two. If the argument reaches crisis mode, however, remove yourself from the situation until it's clear the ranting is over.

  9. Use Magic Phrases

Heitler suggests three: Yes, I agree. You're right. I'm sorry. Nothing disarms an attacker faster than taking her side. So find something, anything, to agree on. We're not suggesting you cave in, but find some small plot of common ground.

  10. Use Anger as a Meter

Heitler compares anger to a Geiger counter—it can alert you to a problem. "What it's not good for," she quickly adds, "is solving a problem."

  11. Set Limits

"You get the behavior you tolerate," says Hauck. If her rage is a little too melodramatic, a little too frequent, a little too abusive, you want to give her exactly two chances to change, he says.