It’s simple to say “I Do” and make promises without the intention of keeping them in the heat of the moment. It’s also very easy to believe that things will work out because we are “in love” and that we are willing to make any form of sacrifice to spend the rest of our lives with our partner. But there are things that you need to pay close attention to, and discuss with your partner before marriage and any serious commitment.
We gathered the most important things for you to discuss with your partner before committing:
Their Relationship With Their Parents
How will you handle your relationship with each other’s families? How much time will you spend with your partner’s family? What holidays are spent where? How connected will you be with them? How do you expect your partner to treat and communicate with your family?
All of these questions must be discussed with your partner so that you do not reach a dispute over these things.
Financial Things
Finances, Finances, Finances! Who will pay what bill? How much do you spend and how much do you save? How much should you put aside for vacations? What are your retirement options?
Agreeing on your spending style and how you plan to afford a shared lifestyle might sound boring, but it’s a necessity. Managing finances can be one of the most damaging fights in a relationship. Ideally, you and a partner should have similar financial responsibilities and goals.
Sexual Satisfaction
How important is sex to you? What does sex mean to you? What’s ideal? Are you adventurous? What makes you happy in bed? Frequency?
It may sound self-evident, but agreeing on how much sex you’d like to have, and what you can manage as a couple is an important and healthy step in any relationship.
Plans for Parenthood
Kids or no kids? Where do you stand on having kids? Are you on the same page as far as when and how many?
Without a doubt, some of the most important questions to ask before marriage are those involving children. These questions will allow you to learn more about this person’s expectations when it comes to families, kids and more.
Religion
While there is absolutely no obligation for you to marry someone with the same religious beliefs as yourself, if you plan on settling down with someone and having children it’s important to know where you stand on raising them in faith.
Will you raise your kids in a religious community? Whose church will you go to? How much time would you like to spend on staying spiritually connected to your religion?
Where Do You Want to Live with partner?
A basic question, but a very important one. Regardless of whether your fantasy about living in the brilliant lights of a city or your other half has no intention of leaving their rustic countryside settings, it’s a talk you need to sit down and have.
How Will You Handle Problems in our Relationship?
What about bumps on the road of love? how do you solve the conflict? how will you resolve conflicts? how willing are you to discuss, sacrifice and adjust to each other’s change of opinions and state?
You might already know this about your partner, but there’s always more room to discuss communication in a relationship.
Your answers will change, but discussing these questions will provide you a solid and secure ground to start from and will leave the communication channels open.
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