Because your marriage is unique and individual, it is important that you create your own marriage culture for your shared life. With its own set of guidelines for relating, deciding, communicating, sharing responsibilities, etc.

These should be set up as agreements between the two of you.

–“We agree that we will have a discussion before making purchases larger than $X.”
–“We agree that we will not hang up on each other – no matter how angry we feel.”
–“We agree that we will always say goodbye to each other before leaving the house.”
–“We agree that we will speak respectfully to each other, even when we are upset ; we will never call each other names or curse.”
–“We agree to share what is bothering us so that resentments don’t build up.”
–“We agree to remind each other about our agreements – in a respectful way.”