When it comes to living with a partner, splitting household chores is an often overlooked yet critical part of maintaining a healthy, balanced relationship. However, in many cases, figuring out exactly how to delegate those tasks can cause a bit of conflict.

When splitting chores, teamwork definitely makes the dream work. And by working together as a team, you can create a chore division that works for both of you while strengthening your relationship in the process.

To learn how to split chores in a way that’s fair for both of you, here are seven tips for delegating household responsibilities with your partner.

Keep communication open.

Communication is of utmost importance in any relationship. This is especially the case when it comes to splitting chores. In order to successfully delegate household tasks, you’ll need to have an open and honest conversation with your partner about chores.

You can talk about what you like, what you’re good at, and what does and doesn’t work with your schedules. But keep in mind that compromise is the key to a happy relationship so be ready to come up with a solution that suits both of you.

Make a list.

To help make delegation easier, make a list of the household tasks that need regular attention — i.e. cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, yard work, and if you have pets, pet care. Then, use your new list to allocate chores based on what you and your partner decide to do.

Play to your strengths.

An easy way to split chores is by considering what you or your partner is good at. For example, if you’re a terrific cook while your partner is fabulous at organizing, you can divide your tasks accordingly. Or if you have a knack for gardening while your partner enjoys a short walk to take out the trash, you can easily assign those responsibilities to each other.

By playing to your strengths, you and your partner are more likely to feel fulfilled when contributing to the household, which keeps you both motivated.

Be flexible.

Let’s face it, life happens, and when it does, your schedule can change in an instant. When delegating tasks, be flexible by adjusting your chore division as needed in case something changes.

So no matter if you have to take on another shift at work, forget a prior commitment, or encounter an unforeseen event, remember that your chore list isn’t set in stone. As a matter of fact, it’s perfectly okay to renegotiate your chore arrangement to make things easier on the both of you.

Keep it fair.

Keeping everything fair between you and your partner should be at the top of your priority list when delegating tasks. If one partner takes on more work than the other, it can quickly lead to feelings of resentment.

An easy way to prevent this is by dividing everything fairly. Ideally, both partners should contribute equally to household chores. To keep it balanced, avoid defaulting to traditional gender roles, but rather, focus on you and your partner’s abilities so that no one person has to shoulder most of the workload.

Schedule regular check-ins.

Just because you have your chore list figured out doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll stay that way. Instead, be sure to conduct regular check-ins with your partner to see if any updates or changes need to be made.

Show appreciation to one another.

What’s most important when splitting chores is to show appreciation for each other. Whether you offer up a simple thank you, a hug, or gift them a token of your appreciation, acknowledging each other’s efforts and contributions promotes a happy and supportive relationship.