My line when it late & the kids wouldn't settle down was: I am too tired to be reasonable.

"Now is not a good time to ask" is a phrase I use with my children. I have found that when I am not feeling well, either physically or emotionally, and I am asked to grant a future request, that response is better than the "No" answer I am likely to give because of feeling negative. It goes hand in hand with "Is this a good time to talk?"

There is a world of difference between these two sentences:
1. You just don't get it.
OR
2. Perhaps I did not make myself clear.
The first sentence often succeeds in making the other person feel angry and defensive. The second sentence does a much better job of opening the lines of communication.

These are great phrases for spouses to use with one another, too. I am going to try to bring them into my interactions with my husband more. Thank you!