It can be difficult to balance the roles in any marriage. The Family A Proclamation to the World says this about the roles in a marriage:
“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.”
Men have the responsibility to provide for the physical needs for the family. They are also supposed to preside over the family. Women are supposed to nurture, or provide care for the children. Of course both father and mother need to be spiritual leaders in the home. They both need to take an active part in planning family home evening lessons and making sure that family prayer and scripture study are completed on a regular basis.
It is important to remember that marriage is a partnership with each member working together for the good of the family. There may be times when one partner may be more in tune with the spirit, but as you work together with the goal of an eternal family in mind, your actions will be in harmony with each other. As you find a balance that works for your relationship you will feel peace and your family life will be happier.
At times you may feel that you are the one planning family home evening and suggesting that it is time for family prayer and scripture study every night. Do not feel discouraged, eventually your spouse will begin to catch on and start suggesting it. Even if all they do is attend, they are still participating. It is important to still have family home evening, family prayer and scripture study, even if your spouse isn’t taking the lead. Your children need the spiritual blessings that can be gained from continuing these activities.