1- Make friends with your in-laws. You may have married your wife, but her family is along for the ride. A little bit of kindness and effort when spending time with them will make all your lives easier. If its difficult, grit your teeth and limit your time together. Surely you can keep smiling for a few hours.
2- Communicate with your wife would keep her needs in mind when you make decisions. Going for a quick drink after work without letting her know may seem harmless, but if she is waiting for you to come home you could return to an upset wife and a miserable evening if you fail to inform her of your plans. Nothing you do just affects you so think about your wife. How might she feel about it? Give her needs priority.
3- Speak with her as an equal. Acknowledge her ideas and viewpoints as you would those of a friend.
4- Help your wife with chores and don't make a fuss if she asks for your help. There are enough issues and dramas in life without making more. If you can't help, explain the reason why to her clearly and kindly.
5- Ask her nicely if you'd like her help with something. Don't demand it as your right. The more demanding you are the less likely she is to want to help you.
6- Admit it when you make mistakes and don't be too proud to say you're sorry. An imperfect husband is much easier to relate with and forgive.
7- Give her gifts and make thoughtful comments regularly to show your wife that you appreciate her. All those little touches around the home, the meals she cooks just the way you like them, take effort and a little appreciation is all that's needed to keep them coming.
8- Give your wife constructive criticism. Stand up to her and don't be scared of her. She may have days when her hormones make you terrified of challenging anything for fear of a huge row, but keeping quiet when she needs some gentle and constructive criticism won't fix anything. If your buddies stepped out of line or upset you, you would let them know in the way that only a buddy can and then get on with your friendship. Making up with your wife is much more fun.
9- Kiss your wife without trying to take it further. Intimacy isn't just about sex and if you remember that and learn to enjoy a kiss or a hug for its own sake you will be rewarded with a relaxed and physically comfortable wife who feels free to express her love for you without the knowledge that it only ever goes one place.
10- Talk with your wife about her goals and encourage her to fulfill her potential. She may have talents or skills she's shy about or she may feel that she isn't capable enough to progress in a career or hobby. Nurture the aptitude that you see in her. A fulfilled woman is a happy woman and a happy woman is lovely to live with.
11- Talk about your emotions and share yourself. You wanted to share the rest of your life with her so do it. Men have emotions, too, and she wants to know how you feel about pretty much everything.
12- Laugh together. Every issue seems easier to deal with if you can laugh at the irony of life.
