Getting
Married?
Is this the person I want to spend the rest of my
life with?
Deciding to get married is one of the biggest decisions a couple
will face together – the decision to make a lifetime commitment
to each other.
Good communication between your partner and yourself is vital
for a healthy and happy relationship. Communication is also
important when making the decision to get married.
There are several issues you need to consider individually and
as a couple before making the decision to get married. Most
importantly, what do commitment and marriage mean to you both.
Other issues to consider and discuss with your partner may
include:
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What are our expectations of marriage?
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What will be different once we get married?
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What do we each bring to the relationship?
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Where will we live?
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How will we work out our finances?
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Do we want to have children?
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If you do want children, how many do you want
and when do you want to have them?
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Do we have similar values and beliefs?
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If we have differences, are we able to work
through them together?
Relationships
can be a fulfilling and exciting experience. Our relationships
are an important part of life, whether they are relationships
with our family, friends or partner. But relationships don’t
just happen – healthy relationships require time and energy from
both partners. Many people aren’t aware that there are practical
skills we can learn to develop and further strengthen our
relationships.
Relationships grow and change over time, so its important that
we have the skills to be able to keep our relationships happy
and healthy.
What makes a healthy relationship?
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According to research one of the most
important things in a relationship is friendship
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A willingness to talk through things, to
share openly with each other to have a safe way to share
positive and negative feelings with each other
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Showing interest in how your partner is
feeling, what they are concerned about and their dreams for
the future
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Taking responsibility for your own actions
and feelings and encouraging your partner to do the same
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People need to be able to have fun in a
relationship
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Understanding each other’s expectations of
the relationship – where do each of you want the
relationship to go
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Knowing and understanding yourself and what
you can bring to the relationship – what can I offer?
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What does your partner bring to the
relationship? Good and not so good baggage
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Knowing that you are not responsible for your
partner’s happiness and that you are responsible for your
own happiness
* Source: Australian
Government 'Information on relationships'
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