A couple of things I read about that resonated with me were the ability to find or create situations that have no solution, and giving you a choice of how you will fail.

A simple example:

"My car isn't working. It runs like crap and I'm not driving it like this."

Possible solutions and responses:

1. I'll get you into work for a few days. "No, I'm not going to be dependent on you or go to work on your schedule."

2. Well, let me see what is going on with it. I can free up a couple of evenings and get it fixed, I'm sure. "No. You need to be around in the evening. I'm not doing everything here by myself."

3. OK, then let's see how quickly we can get it into a shop. But you'll have to count on it that it will be a few days. "No. I'm not waiting and not having a car, and I'm not paying that much to get it fixed."

4. OK, well I can ask a mechanic friend of mine to take a look at it some evening after work, but he'll get to it when he can. "No. That means I'm stuck waiting. I told you, I'm not waiting."

5. OK, then I'll go out after supper and take a look. If I can get it sorted tonight I will. "Great. So I'm here by myself while you're doing your hobby of being in the garage again. I'm always alone.. Just stuck in this house doing homework with the kids."