I don't have any specific advice, but I would encourage you to read the book Non-violent communication (it's short). There are some "cheesy" aspects to the book

I don't have any specific advice, but I would encourage you to read the book Non-violent communication (it's short). There are some "cheesy" aspects to the book (mainly the poetry that introduces some chapters), but a lot of really good / specific tactics for communicating without putting others or yourself on the defensive, which I think it one of the most important aspects of having a conversation like the one you will need to have.