GETTING MARRIED, STAYING MARRIED!

This topic was suggested by Maribeth Overos of Las PInas. One of her friends is getting married soon.

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Getting married isn’t as easy as anyone thinks. Staying married is 10 times more tougher than what you think, whether you’re a guy or a girl.

So here are some basic reminders for couples on both sides of the matrimonial fence that should not be forgotten if they want a truly happy and long-lasting union:

Before, and after, getting married, there are three things you will have to do, and keep on doing, if you want a happy union for the rest of your lives -- SACRIFICING, FOCUSING and LEARNING!

Sacrificing means you have to start minimizing, if not giving up, everything that goes with single-blessedness -- from UNLIMITED and UNRESTRICTED nights out with friends to RECKLESS SPENDING to UNCONTROLLED VICES.

You must start conditioning your mind that the new chapter of your life which you’re about to start will have to TAKE PRIORITY over your TIME, RESOURCES and everything else that you used to enjoy from being single.

Not just for the first few weeks or months but for the rest of your married life, in the eyes of God and law of Man. Especially when the kids start coming.

So you have to start focusing, and stay focused, on your role in the union.

If you’re the guy, giving a decent and comfortable (not necessarily luxurious) life to your wife and would-be kids should be first and foremost on your mind.

You must not stop looking for extra sources of income. Literally and figuratively, you must learn the meaning of PRIORITY, especially when it comes to spending.

While not forgetting your responsibilities to your wife – emotionally, financially and sexually (More on this in future blogs)

For the ladies, NEVER, EVER forget that the household is your responsibility – from the laundry to the kitchen to the bedroom and of course, to your husband and the kids.

Among others, you have to learn how to cook, and I mean COOK WELL! Not just his and the kids’ favorites but other healthy and nutritious but economical or cheap dishes.

To help stretch the budget to the max and still save some of it.

It’s you, not him, who will have to think of how to allocate the budget for all the expenses like food, bills and miscellaneous needs.

And whatever problem crops up along the way, the two of you must talk about it and settle it at once if it’s between the two f you, or act on it if it involves any of the kids.

Don’t wait for any problem to worsen. It’s one of the fastest ways to kill a marriage! 30