Expert: james52144@earthlink.net - 6/27/2006

Question
Hi,
 My spouse & I are having an Argument in our bedroom. Our two sons ages 7 & 10 are in the living room. She indicates she no longer wished to continue the discussion I closed the door and said "Please sit down & finish this discussion". There was No Mental or Verbal Abuse & absolutely no Physical Abuse & No-one was Angry. Our discussion lasted for about another two minutes. Is My closing the door considered Abuse , illegal or Neither. I intended no Abuse. The thought that it might be considered Abuse , Since I don't abuse her, never entered my mind. Is my action considered Abuse. This occured approx 15 years ago but even now she calls it Abuse.

Answer
Closing the door to protect your children from hearing an argument is not abuse. How you respond to her characterizations is important, and don't get into a debate with her about what is abuse. If you want to turn the tables on her, ask her how she feels about your relationship, how she felt about anything. That will change her attitude. It will short circuit a woman on a witch hunt if you ask her how she is feeling.

Good luck