Don’t Bite the Bait – Here’s What to Do Instead

Have you ever felt like your husband was poking at you, throwing out a comment that stings, demanding you do something, or asking for help with something you know he could figure out himself?

That’s bait.

And when you bite? The fight is on.

🎣 What Is “Bait”?

Bait is anything that tempts you to react, whether it’s a hurtful word, a sharp demand, or a loaded question. 

• He criticizes how you spend money.
• He sighs and says, “Why do you always…?”
• He asks you to find his keys, his wallet, his phone,for the hundredth time.

And you feel the urge rising inside to snap back, argue, or rescue him.

That’s biting the bait.

💔 Stories from Real Women

One client shared how her husband snapped:
“You’re always wasting money, do you ever think before you spend?”

Her face burned. She wanted to scream back, defend herself, list every careful choice she had made. But she realized that defending herself would only pull her into a spiral of arguments and distance.

Another client told me how her husband constantly asked, “Can you help me find my stuff?” Keys, wallet, phone, always misplaced. In the past, she would have dropped everything to rescue him, annoyed but compliant. This time, she smiled and calmly said, “I’m sure you’ll find it.”

Both women discovered something powerful:
👉 They didn’t have to react.
👉 They didn’t have to bite.
👉 They could keep their dignity, protect their peace, and invite their husbands to step up.

🚫 Don’t Bite

Not biting doesn’t mean ignoring your husband or stuffing your feelings. It means calmly refusing to enter into the same exhausting tug-of-war.

Instead of biting, try:

• “Ouch.”
• “I trust you to figure that out.”
• “I hear you.”
  

Full stop. Nothing more. These short responses stop the cycle before it begins.

Then turn your attention back to recentering yourself - walk away, breathe, call a friend, put on music - anything to shift the focus away from the invitation to engage in the old pattern.

🌟 Why This Works

When you stop biting, something shifts:

• You protect your own peace and dignity.
• You stop fueling unnecessary fights and avoid saying something you regret.
  
• You create space for your husband to take ownership of his choices.
  
  

💛 The Bigger Picture

Don’t bite the bait isn’t just a tactic; it’s a mindset. It’s about choosing peace over power struggles, and connection over control.

Every time you let the bait float by without grabbing it, you’re breaking an old cycle and creating a new one filled with trust, safety, and closeness.

If you’ve been feeling worn down by criticism, demands, or those little “baits” that drag you into fights, I’d love to talk with you.

📅 Click here to schedule a free conversation with me.

You don’t have to take the bait anymore. You can choose peace instead.