Getting married is a sign that a couple is committed to the relationship. It’s generally an exciting time for both partners. Nonetheless, living as a married couple is also a significant change.
Both partners will have to adapt their lifestyles, respect one another’s space and compromise in areas where they didn’t have to before. The first year of marriage can be challenging, and here’s why:
Living together
Couples may have spent a lot of time together before getting married, including staying over and potentially even living together. But marriage makes things much more permanent. Many couples purchase or rent a new family home within the first year of tying the knot.
This means sharing the financial commitment, the chores around the house and not invading one another’s privacy and space. At some point within the first year, disagreements of some kind are bound to occur. How a couple manages these disputes will shape their future together.
Family approval
Getting married also means extending the family. Each partner is likely to see much more of their in-laws. Often, a bond develops and in-laws become like a second set of parents, but this isn’t always the case. In-laws may not approve of the marriage, which can make things very difficult. If a spouse takes their parents’ side over their partner’s more than once, the marriage can soon start to break down. The dynamic of the relationship between extended family members will largely be set out in the first year of marriage.
If your marriage has not worked out as intended, it’s important to think about ways to protect yourself. The first step to consider is seeking as much legal information as possible.