We're here to help you navigate married life. Get relationship advice for how to handle fights and keep your relationship hot. We'll even help you find couple friends and handle your guy's bromance.

The two of you probably have a system already worked out for when one of you gets sick -- maybe some chicken-soup-fetching is involved, or the healthy partner takes over the household duties for a while. But what do you do when the flu -- either H1N1 or regular -- throws a major curveball into your common cold routine?

Who gets control of the bed?
If you're the patient: Congratulations! We officially grant you full ownership of the bed to writhe, roll, and sweat out your fever. We've all been there, and there's no way you should have to relocate. Why? The Center for Disease Control recommends keeping the sick person away from others to eliminate any risk of contagion. Keep the room door closed and use a different bathroom. We recommend using paper towels to dry your hands instead of household towels to cut down on laundry since anything you touch while you're sick will have to be washed thoroughly on a hot setting before its sharable again.
If you're the caretaker: Do you really want to share a bed with a sneezing, wheezing sweat factory, anyway? Take the couch for a few nights! It's much easier to wash the sheets on your bed than the couch cushions, and you should be the one doing the washing, anyway. Trust us; your patient will one day return the favor.

How much babying is expected?
If you're the patient: You probably just want to curl up in the fetal position and be taken care of, but your partner's probably doing the best he or she can. Translation: stop ringing that damn bell when you run out of OJ.
If you're the caretaker: Time to step up your game and play Dr. McDreamy for a few days. Tissues, juice, and soup are in order.

Is sex okay?
If you're the patient: In a word, nope -- not even if you're feeling up to it. Here's why: you'll spread your germs.
If you're the caretaker: We know it's hard, but really, is that runny nose or wheezy breathing so hot? Really can't hold out? Wait until the fever is below 100, avoid face-to-face contact, and don't be surprised if you catch the same flu.

What about the case of the terrible tissues?
If you're the patient: Okay, we know you're sick, but don't just throw your tissues on the floor (yes, people do this). Throw those suckers away immediately after use.
If you're the caretaker: Just put a trash can by the bed!

Should I leave the house?
If you're the patient: Where exactly do you think you're going? Get back in bed! The CDC recommends that people with flu-like symptoms stay at home until at least 24 hours after they're fever-free (a temperature of less than 100 F).
If you're the caretaker: Looks like you're playing valet for a while. Put on your most comfortable sneakers, gas up the car, and get ready to run some errands. On your agenda? The pharmacy for some tissues, anti-bacterial gel, Tylenol, and anti-bacterial hand soap and the grocery store for any foods your patient requests (soup and Gatorade may be first on your list!).

What would we ever do without girlfriends?! We can tell them everything -- right? Well…maybe not. If you’re having issues with your mate, say, between the sheets or when it comes to money matters, is it okay to seek counsel from your friends, or are some things better kept between just the two of you?

Do you share your marital issues with friends? When, if ever, is it appropriate to do so? Weigh in with your thoughts!

We've all been there...we've told a little white lie to ensure our continued “survival.� These fibs have been highlighted in sitcoms and movies with cliche lines like, “No, honey, those pants don't make your butt look big,� and “Sure, I like your best friend’s husband -- I think we should always have to chest-bump as a form of greeting in this country!� (The latter line, of course, is said by a scrawny guy who can't handle chest bumps.)

A new article in The Wall Street Journal says that these little fibs may actually be necessary for the survival of your relationship. Why? Little lies protect your partner’s ego or feelings and may help avoid unnecessary conflict. The author of the article interviewed a psychologist who said, “It's a matter of survival. If you don't fib, you don't live.� But is a conflict-free existence really worth, well, lying all the time?

Take my friend, Molly*, for example. She manages events for a museum in New York City, and schmoozing with patrons is part of her job. And what does schmoozing often involve? Drinking a glass or two of wine. Yet for some reason, Molly feels compelled to hide it from her husband whenever she’s been out for the perfunctory schmooze-glass or two. When pressed, she said she doesn’t know why she tells him she hasn’t been drinking, even when she has. They’ve discussed drinking numerous times, and neither of them minds in the slightest when one of them goes out and drinks (in moderation, of course) without the other one present. So all Molly really ends up with is a guilty conscience, a confused husband (he can smell the alcohol, after all), and a mild hangover.

You tell us, Nesties: Is lying to your spouse necessary (keep in mind we’re talking small, white lies here)? Is it ever worth it? Share in the comments!

*Name has been changed

Here's some rules for facebook that will help keep you from being banished to the couch:

Be careful with poking

Poking is a simple click that lets someone know...well...that you poked them. It’s weirdly exciting to get a poke, but it can quickly escalate. Say you poke someone of the opposite sex just to say hello. They can SuperPoke! you back (thus goading you to add on the application) with a sexier “Goose,� which looks pretty slimy to your spouse if they see it on your page.

Don’t auto-accept a friend request

Sure, it’s flattering when someone adds you to their list. But just because they want to friend you doesn’t mean you have to accept. Once a person becomes a friend, they can try to friend your friends. If that happens, not even defriending them will help.

Keep a low profile

Facebook lets you make a dossier of where you work, what you like and where you were Saturday night. But do you want everyone in the Facebookiverse seeing you and your spouse dressed as an electrical outlet and plug on Halloween? Consider a “limited profile� for casual friends.

Skip the less-than-savory extras

Some sexier applications are dedicated to adding “Hotties,� sending come-ons or rating cuteness. If you add these, watch out: You’ve entered a digital minefield. Send a hug! Oh, yes, I’ve been hugged! One day, a stranger sent me a footsie. No, she didn’t literally run her leg up my hairy calf, but it was still pushing it, so I defriended her right then—I’d already learned my lesson from HotPants.

Keep your relationship on the right track by avoiding these common pitfalls.

Mistake #1: Not Dealing with Debt

Newsflash: Money is the #1 thing couples fight about. Fess up about your personal debt -- because for better or worse -- and then set up a financial game plan with our budgeter.

Mistake #2: Alienating Your Friends

Friends are key for a successful marriage, so tag along on those girl's nights out. Just because you're not guy-hunting doesn't mean you can't be a supportive wingwoman.

Mistake #3: Not Having Enough Sex

Over 60 percent of newlyweds we surveyed were already in a sex rut! Yeah you're busy, but that's not a good enough excuse not to get busy. Initiate sex, even if you don't feel like it or have to schedule it. If you get in the habit of having it, you'll start wanting it (and liking it) more.

Mistake #4: Letting Yourself Go

So you put on the "newlywed nine."  Big whup...you've already found your mate, right? Wrong! Make a plan to get fit together or at least respect each other's goals.

Mistake #5: Out-lawing the In-laws

Fifty percent of couples we surveyed have a problematic relationship with their in-laws (ya think?). Manage expectations, like saying you'll call on Sundays so his mom doesn't guilt-trip you for ignoring her weekday messages. Even if your spouse is bitching about his family, resist the urge to chime in. It'll bite you in the butt later.

Mistake #6: Crazy Fighting 

Getting hitched isn't a free pass to hit below the belt (sorry!). When you're getting really heated, walk away to cool down for a few minutes. 

Mistake #7: Becoming Baby-Obsessed 

It's easy to fixate on that next big step, but chill out -- the average couple has a kid within three years of marriage. So really, why rush? Savor the moments (and vacations you can take!) now...when you won't have to be waking up for a brutal 4 a.m. feeding.