Did you get married to do laundry? To pay bills? To cook dinner or wash the dishes? No one does.

And yet, for many couples, that’s all there is. Their relationship is practical and business-like. At some point the joy of the wedding ceremony gave way to the daily grind of routine activity. Careers were chased, children were born, and ever-larger homes with new cars in the garage were purchased.

And, slowly, the romance faded. What used to be hours on the phone together became business meetings about practical matters, like finances or the kids’ grades.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage October 9, 2025 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The stress of daily life takes a toll on even the happiest couples – which is why marriage and family counselor Dr. Randy Schroeder says seeking marital happiness is unrealistic. A better approach is to pursue consistent marital satisfaction. How? Good habits.

Dr. Schroeder offers four “daily essentials” for creating good habits in your marriage:

“Goodbye, I love you.” Whoever leaves the house first should initiate this.

“Goodnight, I love you.” Whoever goes to bed first should initiate this.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage August 21, 2025 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

It’s often easier to tell your spouse, “I love you,” than to show them through your actions.

I can tell you that’s true not only from personal experience but from the sheer number of questions we get here at Focus on the Family from married couples about navigating busy schedules, financial issues, and communication and conflict. Each question represents a small everyday moment that somehow turned into a disruption to the couple’s marital unity.

Authors Matt and Lisa Jacobson are with me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to encourage husbands and wives to serve and love each other well.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage August 7, 2025 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

You and your spouse don’t always see eye to eye. One of you talks too much – or not enough. One of you feels hot while the other is shivering cold. And one of you is probably a saver while the other is a spender.

Those differences – especially the last one – can drive you apart. Petty disagreements about money can easily turn into full-grown battles that bleed a relationship dry.

Well-known author, radio host, and financial expert Dave Ramsey is my guest on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage July 29, 2025 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I don’t know if there’s a secret to building a happy marriage, but there’s one idea that comes pretty close. The happiest couples know their spouse well and feel like their spouse knows them.

There’s a word for that. It’s called intimacy, and the only way to develop relational connection like that is good communication. That means more than talking about the weather. You have to open your hearts to one another and connect at a deeper level.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage July 21, 2025 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura