<P><A class="" href="http://www.babble.com/CS/controlpanel/blogs/www.babyproofingyourmarriage.com" target=_blank></A><A href="http://www.babble.com/CS/photos/feb2007/picture5887.aspx" target=_blank></A><A href="http://www.babble.com/CS/photos/feb2007/picture5889.aspx" target=_blank><IMG style="HEIGHT:175px;" height=175 hspace=4 src="http://www.babble.com/CS/photos/feb2007/images/5889/300x372.aspx" align=right border=0></A></P>
<P><A href="http://www.babble.com/CS/photos/feb2007/picture5889.aspx" target=_blank></A>In <A class="" href="http://www.babble.com/CS/ControlPanel/Blogs/www.babyproofingyourmarriage.com"><EM>Babyproofing Your Marriage</EM></A>, authors Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill, and Julia Stone debunk finally, forcefully, and humorously, the myth that <A class="" href="http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2007/01/06/marriage-and-kids-do-they-mix.aspx">children make marriages stronger</A>.&nbsp; The kids.&nbsp; They are cute and funny and sweet, but especially when young, can result in much marital squabbling over household chores, free-time, and diapers.</P>
<P><EM>Babyproofing</EM> makes an excellent case for putting down the weapons of war and trying to make nice, each spouse in his or her own way.&nbsp; One suggestion is "The Five Minute Fix" and involves making whoopee regularly (and briefly).&nbsp; The authors make an assumption here that is probably accurate most of the time: men ask for sex and women often refuse, resulting in much frustration on both sides. The Fix is supposed to be a way to rebuild trust and cooperation between couples that so easily lapse into asexual household management after kids. </P>
