| Set ground rules. |
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Have a common goal or vision for your lives (i.e., kids, religion, career, etc.). |
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Take care of your finances; prioritize your costs, with your desires, together. |
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Set goals together and celebrate your accomplishments. |
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When you make decisions together, stick to them. |
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Take time for yourself—you are an individual first and foremost. |
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Make your relationship one of your top priorities. |
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Be open to compromise.
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| Start new traditions. |
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Create a weekly tradition—family movie night, Sunday dinner, etc. |
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Create holiday and seasonal traditions to help make special memories.
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| Do little things. |
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Recognize the things your partner does to make you happy and say "thank you." |
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Stay positive, no matter what challenges the two of you face. |
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Smile at one another.
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| Be romantic. |
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From a weekend getaway to an afternoon walk, share "us only" time. |
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Start and end every day with "I love you." |
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Plan a "date" to build anticipation. |
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Slip into pockets notes that say "I love you," "Have a great day," or "You're wonderful."
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| Communicate. |
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Discuss your ideas and feelings on child-rearing. |
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Let your partner know when you need extra help or just a shoulder to lean on. |
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Don't go to bed mad at each other—resolve what you can and amiably agree to continue the discussion the next morning.
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| Share. |
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Take naps together on the weekend. |
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Take walks together (with or without your kids). |
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Find an activity the two of you can enjoy together. |
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Every week, take time out to do something both of you really enjoy—go for a bike ride, see a movie, or just order takeout! |
