Can I get a little help please?

This is something I hear a lot of people complain about. Imagine you are home with your kid, as you are every day. Your significant other arrives home from work and you think, "Great! Now someone can help me do all this crap that needs to get done." Meanwhile they are thinking, "Now is my chance to finally relax after a long day." However, no one actually says anything. Eventually, one person is relaxing in front of the TV and the other is angry cleaning. Loudly. Instead of stomping around, slamming dishes and whatnot, why not just ask for what you want. But when you rattle off your list your significant other may be thinking...