The wedding is over, the presents have been put away and thank you
notes written – now what? Once the excitement of the festivities and
the romantic honeymoon is over, the real work of marriage begins. And
yes, it can sometimes be work no matter how much you love each other!
I've gathered some tips to help you keep things on track as you step
into the “real world” of married life. Some are serious, some
light-hearted, but all can help you remember exactly why you got
married in the first place and what it is you love so much about your
mate.
1. Money is one of the most frequent causes of
marital friction. If you haven’t talked about it before the wedding,
talk about it now. The sooner you establish a spending plan and agree
on it, the more arguments you’ll avoid down the line.
2. Don’t assume all things have to be 50/50%. If
you prefer balancing the checkbook and paying bills, but your spouse
hates this and would rather be in charge of cleaning and scheduling
appointments, that’s fine! It’s what works for you that is important.
3. Always be willing to say, “I’m sorry,” mean it.
Whether it’s something small like not putting the cap on the toothpaste
or something larger, the apology is more important than the incident
and will be remembered far longer.
4. Never make life decisions unilaterally. Even if
the new car will be used by you, your spouse’s input should be listened
to and considered. Set a limit (say, $100 / £50 or $500 / £250) and
agree that neither of you will spend over that amount without
consulting the other.
5. Allow yourself a sense of wonder in the little
things and share them. Do you see a beautiful sunset while doing the
dishes? Point it out to your spouse and share that brief moment of
beauty.
6. Make conscious sacrifices. Let your “better
half” choose the movie, the television show or the restaurant rather
than always wanting to do it. Enjoy his or her pleasure.
7. Say “thank you” for little things as well as big
things sometimes. He’ll appreciate hearing thanks for taking out the
trash and she’ll love a “thank you” for dinner occasionally. We often
feel the most “taken for granted” for doing the daily or weekly things.
8. Praise your mate’s good qualities or something
he or she has done for you to others – but within earshot. There’s no
boost to a man’s self-esteem like hearing his loved one tell her
mother/sister/best friend what a great job he did painting the kitchen.
9. Don’t abandon your mate in unknown situations.
At your office party/family reunion, stay close and introduce him/her
with some complimentary information to bolster her self-confidence.
(This is my wife, Nancy. She’s been doing a great job recently working
on the school play as a fundraiser.) Devise a “signal” so that when you
do part, she can let you know if she needs rescuing.
Source: http://www.wedaholic.com/archives/52_successful_marriage_tips_for_a_happy_married_life.php
