Equality in Marriage is the Key to Happiness, Peace and More Intimacy!!!

The song "Mr. Mom" by Lonestar has equality between husband and wife woven throughout it. This song is a great story of how a husband and wife can be equally yoked.

It starts out when the husband loses his job and the wife says that she can go to work while he stays at home with their children. He agrees and thinks that it'll be a cinch, but he finds out very quickly that staying at home with the children proves to be a non-stop job! A job that really never ends and during that time at home he is playing the role of "Mr. Mom" his love and appreciation for his dear wife grows immensely.

They develop greater equality from his time staying at home with the children. He creates a deeper respect for his wife in her responsibility as a stay at home parent. This respect benefits the marriage outstandingly. They benefit men and women differently.

Men: more openness and physical intimacy in their relationship. The physical intimacy improves health and reduces stress. They also work better at work because they don't think about at home stresses.

Women: they are happier when their husband expresses appreciation for their work at home. They have less anger and depression and feel more confident in their relationship, creating a happier marriage.

Having more equality in a relationship creates a closer bond between husband and wife which creates a stronger and more fulfilling marriage.

Implement:

Research that has been conducted on relationships has shown that equality in decision making significantly contributes to the wives' idea that they have a successful and happy marriage.  There are opportunities all around that every couple can implement into their relationship.

1. Know the difference between occasional and routine household chores.
   1. Occasional: chores not done every day like repairs, yard work, or paying bills.
   2. Routine: chores done every day like dishes, laundry, or cooking meals.
   3. Take the time to help your spouse out by putting yourself in their shoes and think about something you can do for them.  Perhaps you can take the trash out for them or do the dishes after dinner or even pull some weeds outside.
   
   
2. Team work is key to any relationship. Like the saying many homes live by, "Many hands make light work." That can be used in a marriage relationship too.
   1. Together you and your spouse can: do the dishes (one rinsing and one loading the dishwasher), making the bed (one person on each side), dusting the house or washing the car (he gets the higher surfaces and she can get the lower surfaces).
   2. You can also invite the entire family to help with things like planting a garden or washing windows in the house to create family unity.
   
   
3. Verbally express appreciation for the things your spouse does at home and/or at work.  Feeling unappreciated can be a significant burden to your family and especially your relationship with your spouse.

Action Plan:

Sit down with your spouse and write down all the things that keep you busy.  Everything from calling to make appointments for the children to doing the laundry or cleaning out the car.  Add to that list others things that are regular items on your "to-do" list that are not already there.

Try even out the list with your spouse remembering the chores that the other favors and doesn't favor.  Have the mindset of, "I know my husband despises folding laundry so I'll be sure to do that" or "I know my wife hates taking out the garbage so I'll make sure that's always taken care of."  Obviously either person can do those chores but the extra mile you go to make them happy is important and will make a difference.  Always look to serve each other in all that you do, whether it be in or out of the home.

Strive to do the things on your own list throughout the next month and when possible look to your spouse's list and see how you can help.  Try to make the work equal and be sure that both of you are not stressed, if possible.  See what you can do to take the burden off your spouse.

Remember to take into consideration the number of hours each of you work outside the home and keep in mind that equal doesn't necessarily mean 50/50 and keep in mind that flexibility based on daily circumstances is imperative.