Working with jello offers three important insights into conflict resolution in relationships.
- Give it time to cool off, don’t mess with it when it’s still hot.
- Stop trying to nail it to the wall, some things can’t be solved by brute force.
- Don’t forget it in the fridge, at some point the issues must be dealt with.
A simple strategy for handling conflict.

- Example 1 – “I apologize for being insensitive. Your friendship means the world to me and I didn’t mean to be a brute. Let’s talk about it later when we both cool off.”
- Example 2 – “I’ve clearly miscommunicated here. Please know I love you dearly and I had no intention of saying anything hurtful. I’d love to talk through the details after we put the kids to bed or perhaps tomorrow.”
- Example 1 – “Remember the other day when you stole my Cheetos and called me a baby for crying about it? I was hoping we could talk through that and clear the air a bit.”
- Example 2 – “I feel like we need to talk about our miscommunication earlier today. It’s important to me that we throw fewer sharp objects at each other and work as a team to avoid cuts and bruises.”