Are You Ready To Live Together As A Couple?

So, you think your ready to move in after dating your partner for a little while. Certainly you find all of their idiosyncrasies to be charming at this stage; after all, you’re in love, right? Before you welcome their awesome Lazyboy chair or sniffing poodle into your pad, you need to consider a few things. Moving in together is not just a mater of logistics, there’s quite a bit of emotional adjustment to consider

Lifestyle Considerations

Sure, you both enjoy Starbucks on a Sunday morning, or an occasional walk along the beach, but are you ready to make a lifestyle change? Starbucks and romantic walks are one thing; blending two lifestyles can be another. You need to take into consideration both lifestyles and see if they will compliment each other or clash. Take an inventory of both of your habits; does he like to party a lot, does she sleep in while you like to get up early. Ask yourself if you can accommodate any of your partner’s habits.

Are There Children Involved?

Children are a full time job. If your partner does not have any children or doesn’t have any young children living at home, then you want to sit down and discuss the issues involved in blending a family. Some things to discuss are who is the disciplinarian. If you both do, what are the rules for discipline? How involved will your partner be in the lives of the children? What are your expectations of your partner when it comes to your children? All of these issues need to be discussed prior to moving in. Don’t make assumptions when it comes to children.

Balance of Powers

Remember again, you are merging to personalities; there will be a power struggle at times. It may not seem as though you’re in a power struggle, but when you complain about his dirty laundry on the floor or he complains about your bras on the dining room chair, then you have a power struggle. How are you going to manage disagreements? Conflicts? Before you move in, you need to set some ground rules on disagreements and conflicts. How will you handle them? The best way is to agree to take a time out when it comes to conflicts. Realize that you’re in an argument and that you both need to take some time to cool down and set a time to return to discuss the situation. Trying to out do each other in an argument, or “be right” will only lead to hurt feelings and more arguing.

Dollars and Sense

Lets face it, more relationships end over money matters than any other issue. So, it’s a good idea to address the issues of finance before any furniture is moved and any bathroom accessories are purchased. Topics for discussion should be, are you having separate checking accounts? Who pays what bills or do you combine your money and pay the bills together? If children are responsible, is your childless partner going to help out financially? Financial matters are one of the biggest issues that must be worked out prior to moving in or even getting married. Take this topic serious. There are circumstances where one person is the breadwinner while the other partner tends to home and children issues. Whatever the situation, discuss it with each other.

The above list presents some issues you may need to consider before moving in together. If you feel you are ready to do so, then I say go for it. What do you think? If you have any additional tips on living together, Dating Guide Magazine would love to hear them. Leave a comment below.