Many people don't realize it until they get married, but being married takes work. Marriage is a lot more difficult if there are not two people carrying the load. In the ideal marriage the couple understands one another, the limitations that they both have, and of course what they can expect from one another. A marriage is a team and every team can benefit from tips to keep them on the right path.
Tips for a Happy Marriage
One of the best pieces of advice in a marriage is not to compete with one another in the job market, with parents, or even with the kids but in kindness. If you are always trying to be more kind to your spouse than they are to you, as this will set a great standard.
Never go to bed angry. This is an oldie but a goodie and that is because you should never allow for too much time to pass before you work things out and come back together. You should be able to rest your head at night knowing the person next to you is on your side.
Don't expect your husband or wife to change just because you got married. Too many people believe that once they get married everything will change. The person will still be the same, the only thing that will be different is their marital status.
Don't live in the same town as your families. Many married couples won't agree with this, but one of the best things that you can do for your marriage is to have only one another to lean on. When you do this, your marriage will grow closer and stronger than if you both have your families to lean on.
Money isn't worth fighting over. It doesn't matter how much you have, there will never be enough. Remember that in marriage and life it is people not things that are important.
Be dedicated to your marriage and your spouse but stay true to yourself. Many people become so wrapped up in their spouse and their marriage that they lose touch with who they are. Be true to yourself while staying true to your marriage for the best balance.
Make communication a priority. A couple that communicates well will be much closer and will have a lot less in the way of arguments and misunderstandings. Marriage is never perfect, but a relationship with good communication is much more happy than one without.
Stop sweating the small stuff. All of us have a tendency to focus on things that are not important in the grand scheme of things. Don't sweat the small stuff, when you live by this motto you'll have a much more comfortable life and happy marriage.
-----------
Rodrigo Rehn is a Relationships Expert, Linux Systems Administrator, Web Programmer, PHP Developer and CEO of FaceRomance dating advice for singles.