I was interviewed by Trans World Radio yesterday and they asked me how a person should deal with their partner's bad habits.
I waffled on about the difference between personality (which can't really be changed) and behaviour (which can) and how every personality type has strengths and challenges/weaknesses.

The presenter then caught me completely off guard by asking if my husband had ever challenged me about one of my bad habits

Hah -I knew you'd read more!
I joked that I didn't have any bad habits as I was practically perfect in every way (like Mary Poppins no less...) but being serious I couldn't think of an occasion where I'd been made to feel challenged, uncomfortable, upset or defensive by anything Garry had said to me.

He's definitely not a doormat so I can only presume that he's done it so subtley and tactfully that it didn't come across as criticism. Maybe he should be writing this column...

What would you have said? Hopefully your partner doesn't say "You always" or "You never". But it's important to consider how to challenge gently and lovingly with affirming words rather than dismissive or rude gestures. I'm still learning - how about you?
j x