- Discuss how many children you want, when you want them, and how they will fit into your life.
- Have an honest conversation about finances early on in the relationship.
- Talk openly and honestly about any differences in religious beliefs between the two of you.
- Discuss roles and responsibilities within the marriage itself; who will do what? Who will handle which tasks or chores?
- Discuss plans together; buying a house, retirement savings, traveling, and career goals.
Getting married is one of the most significant decisions of your life. It’s a huge commitment that requires two people to come together and make a lifelong commitment to each other. But before you take the plunge, you must have some crucial conversations with your partner. Here are six key things you should discuss with your partner before getting married.
Children
Many couples think it’s best to wait until after they’ve tied the knot to discuss having kids, but this is not ideal. This topic should be addressed before marriage because it’s essential to create a strong foundation for your relationship. Talk openly and honestly about how many children you want, when you want them, and how they will fit into your life.
Prenuptial Agreement
This isn’t the most romantic topic, but it’s essential if you both want to protect your assets and plan for the future. Most people think so negatively of prenuptial agreements, but the truth is, it’s all about protecting your assets. The benefits of a prenuptial agreement are numerous, as it ensures that both parties have a clear financial understanding in the event of a divorce. This protects both parties and allows them to plan for the future.
Finances
Money is one of the top causes of marital stress and disagreements, so you must have an honest conversation about finances early on in the relationship. Talk about what lifestyle you both want, how much debt each person has, and if any long-term financial goals need to be discussed (such as buying a house or saving for retirement).
Religion
If you have big differences in religious beliefs, then it’s best to discuss this before getting married. Even if religion isn’t something either of you feels strongly about, it’s still good to talk about the role that faith may play in your future life together; this includes conversations around holidays and religious rituals (if any) that may be practiced in your household after marriage.
Roles & Responsibilities
Another important conversation point is roles and responsibilities within the marriage; who will do what? Who will handle which tasks or chores? Discussing these types of topics can help prevent arguments down the road because each person knows exactly their role in the relationship.
Future Plans
Lastly, make sure you discuss future plans together, too; what kind of career paths do you both see yourselves taking? Where do you see yourself living 5 or 10 years from now? Having these conversations now can help ensure that both partners are on the same page regarding their goals for their future together as a couple. So what possible plans can you and your partner come up with? Here are some ideas:
Buying a house
A home is one of the biggest investments you can make, so it’s important to discuss this before making any commitments. Consider talking about when and where you would like to buy a house, how much you are willing to spend, what kind of mortgage is best for you, and who will be responsible for paying the bills.
Saving for retirement
Retirement is often something that couples tend to overlook, but it’s a critical topic to discuss. Talk about how much you want to save for retirement each month and what investments you should make.
Traveling
Where would you like to go? What budget and timeline do you both have in mind for your travels? Discuss how often you want to travel, if it’s together or apart, and what those trips will look like.
Career Goals
Talk about each other’s career ambitions and goals and how they may impact your lives together. Is one of you looking to switch careers, start a business or relocate for work? It’s important to discuss these topics before getting married as it could affect the life you plan on building together.
Talking through these important issues before getting married can help create a strong foundation for your relationship and prevent misunderstandings later down the line when expectations aren’t met due to different expectations from each partner going into marriage without discussing them beforehand! It is never too early or too late to start talking through these issues — even if you have already taken steps towards marriage, such as getting engaged, having these discussions can still benefit all parties involved!
