Continuing some more on the discussion of conflict, here is some practical advice from Gary Chapman. Get the things that bug you out in the open so they can be discussed and negotiated. Your spouse is not your opponent. You are on the same team and together have to accomplish all the details of running the home.

God bless your family and your marriage.

Think As a Team To Decrease Conflict

By Gary Chapman

Who cleans the toilet at your house? Has it always been true?

If you are the one who cleans, are you happy with this arrangement? Who takes care of what in a marriage?

This is the question that often leads to conflict. Many couples do not agree on these issues before marriage and wake up six weeks into the marriage to discover that no one is cleaning the toilet.

If this is a trouble spot for you, let me encourage you to take action.

Make a list of all the things that must be done on a regular basis. Put your initials beside the ones that you think are your responsibilities. Ask your spouse to do the same. Then negotiate your differences.

Try it for six weeks and see how it works. If necessary, re-negotiate.

Remember, you are a team.      

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Article written by Dr. Gary Chapman. Based on the book, The Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. Published by Moody Publishing, copyright 2009.