You undoubtedly have heard or read this many times: In a relationship, you need to work together as a team, as partners, as parents. But what does that mean? Here are some suggestions:

This is the core of teamwork: Simply said, it’s “I want to help you be happy and live the life you want to live. And if you are struggling in any way, I want you to know that I am there to support and help you and am always reliable. And you will do the same for me.”

Teamwork recognizes that it’s you and me against the problem—navigating jobs or money, kids, parents, time pressures, emotional pressures, or financial pressures. Though we each have our own strengths and weaknesses, in the end, we work together equally to solve the problems that life throws at us.

We won’t always agree about what’s important, the best strategy, or even about whose needs must come first. But because we have each other’s backs and want to focus on problems together, we can think outside the box, negotiate, and compromise. Compromise is not giving in, or forever diluting our goals and dreams, but looking for win-win agreements. We realize that if a........

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