When you get married or enter into another type of serious relationship the decisions you make about yourself will not also affect another person. Being independent is great and standing your ground and not always giving into your partner is a sign of that independence. I’m all for self determination, but when your decisions affect someone else some compromise is called for.
Discussing these things with your partner before diving in (or cutting loose, or going crazy, or whatever it is you’re about to do) doesn’t make you weak and co-dependent; it makes you a smart, considerate person who is concerned about the health of their relationship, rather than being completely self-serving.
Here are a few things you should definitely consult your sweetie about before going forward with:
Babies
Granted, a woman’s body is her own, but there are two of you in this relationship, so the decisions you make about your body will affect your partner too. Starting or stopping birth control or choosing a permanent solution like having your tubes tied should all be discussed with your partner.
Throwing out leftovers
Some people seem to keep leftovers until they qualify for scientific experiments. But the minute you chucked it all in the garbage, that’s when they decide they want to finish it. It’s one of life’s mysteries! So play it safe and always ask before throwing out leftovers.
Key purchases
Even if your last name is Rockefeller or Hilton, running your plans for big ticket items like cars, houses and boats past your significant other is just good relationship strategy.
Adopting an animal or a child
Okay, that little puppy you saw at the pet store when you went to buy fish food is cute what with that heart breaking little face and all. I know how tempting that can be. And that last time you were shooting that movie and your partner was looking after the other kids and you saw that orphan that just melted your heart? Also tempting. But resist you must. Adding to your family should only be done with your partner’s okay.
A tattoo
With their name, anywhere on your body. This needs no further explanation, does it?
Erasing the Tivo
So you think he or she has watched the latest installment of Curb Your Enthusiasm? But you don’t know this for a fact? Don’t wipe out the Tivo because you’ll be on the fast track to WWIII before you can say Larry David.
This post was developed by the writers of the Datepad.com internet dating company where you can find thousands more helpful dating posts.
