Originally Posted by MNBikeguy

Been married 35 years. You've almost got it right. Offering solutions to appease is fruitless. Neither is giving up what you want. Validating irrational thought is not helpful. Sometimes being supportive means suggesting, in a loving and caring manner, that negative and irrational fears be channeled in a more productive manner. As you point out, they're capable of intelligent solutions for themselves.
Frankly, some of the solutions being offered would be more appropriate for a child.