‘M’ Is For Maid Service — Get One For Mother

It's little more than a month until Mother's Day. What does she need, what does she want, what does she deserve? One word: help. Specifically, help with housework.

A new study reveals hiring a maid service could improve your relationship with your partner. Researchers from Harvard Business School and the University of British Columbia analyzed seven studies, involving more than 3,000 people, and found those who spent more money on time-saving purchases -- like cleaning services -- felt happier about their relationship.

The reason, researchers say, is that time savers protected the couple from the negative impact of relationship stress and enabled them to enjoy more quality time together.

Study authors conclude, "Companies might want to consider time-saving vouchers that employees can give to their partners during work trips as a way of providing social support to their spouses while they are away."

Sound good? Ask your spouse! Working Mother reports these benefits could be particularly helpful for reducing conflicts pertaining to work and family life.