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Men, too, have this need to be loved, appreciated and praised. Tell him how much you appreciate the little things he does for you, for the children or in the house. Praise encourages him to do more for you, and also sends the message that his efforts are recognized. You don’t have to sing his praises to show appreciation. A simple, genuine ‘thank you’ will suffice.

Do you know of any married couple that doesn’t fight? Marriage is about two different, unique individuals who will have differences. The disagreements and differences can sometimes lead to fights. And those fights, if too many, can strain the relationship. That doesn’t mean you compromise every time. No. It means you have to think and pick your fights wisely. Ask yourself – ‘Is it worth fighting for?’ What’s stopping you from compromising and let your husband have his way sometimes? If it’s a trivial issue, let it go. Do not let your ego come in the way of a happy, loving relationship with the man you love.

Honesty is the base for a trusting relationship. Marriages that last are based on honesty and open communication, with no place for cheating or lying. Your husband deserves honesty and truthfulness from you, just as you do from him. Being honest doesn’t mean you have to say everything. In fact, there are truths that don’t have to be said because all they do is harm. Maybe you don’t like his favorite shirt but it’s not worth saying it. You don’t like his lotion, so buy a different one just saying that you like this one better. Practicing with little things will help you learn how to do it, this practice will help you to know how to say important things, such as those related to s*x. Being truthful won’t always be easy. Sometimes your honesty might upset your husband and may even lead to fights. But dishonesty can damage a relationship so much that the partners will have a tough time trusting each other again. One lie or betrayal and your husband may always have a lingering doubt about y...

Be your true self in a relationship, right from the beginning. Be as you really are, avoiding false smiles or pretentious laugh. Pretending to be who we are not can be exhausting and lead to a bad relationship.

Not every day of marriage is exciting. Somewhere along the way, the boredom sets in. You get into a routine and do the same things day in and day out. When ignored, boredom can lead to unhappiness. So what do you do? Have fun and do not let boredom creep into your relationship. Go on dates, picnics, road trips and tours. Or plan movie nights, cook dinner together, watch a TV series, be silly together, take yoga or dance classes together, learn a language together and do something that will help you two get out of your comfort zones.

Marriages that lack romance tend to fizzle out sooner or later. So step up your romance by a notch or two and get back to the basics. Get flirtatious, tease him, touch him lovingly, kiss him spontaneously and lead him in the bedroom. Taking the first step in romance or lovemaking does not mean you are needy and it will not make you any less than the man. So if you’re in the mood for something romantic, go ahead and do it. Surprise him!

One thing that all men want to know is that they are good in bed. They need to hear it often, to boost their confidence and make them feel like ‘da man’. That said, most men may not be comfortable asking what they want in bed. But in a marriage, you should be able to talk about your wildest fantasies and try them out. So, don’t worry about getting creative and trying something new with your husband. It could be something that you like, or he likes. If you know your husband and you know that he likes to experiment with new things you propose, don’t hesitate telling him about what you want to try; but you have to be careful if your husband is insecure. Being a good wife is not all about being a submissive or obedient wife that caters to every need of her husband (hello! This is not the ‘50s). It is about being the perfect partner who contributes equally to the relationship and complements the husband’s personality. Marriages are mutual, so if you want a good husband, you have to be willi...