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- You'll never know everything about your partner — and that's OK.
- But there are certain facts you should definitely know before things get serious. Think how much debt they have and how they feel about divorce.
- We checked out a Reddit thread on the topic and highlighted some of the most compelling questions.
You will never get to know your partner perfectly. In fact, that's one of the beautiful things about being in a relationship: Your partner is constantly surprising you.
That said, there are some basic things you probably should know before establishing a life with someone. Over on Reddit, there's a thread titled, "What questions should everyone ask their partners before getting married?" Most of the questions apply to couples starting to get serious, and not just couples heading to the altar.
Below, we've highlighted seven of the most important questions from that thread. Read on and see which you still have to ask.
Do you want kids?
Flickr / OakleyOriginals
That's a tip from IntoTheMystic1.
It's best to address the topic of parenthood sooner than later, so no one winds up resentful — or heartbroken — years down the line.
If you or your partner are (understandably) worried that having kids will change your relationship for the worse, you should arm yourself with knowledge about what helps parents maintain intimacy.
Some researchers suggest that there are certain "buffers" against marital disaster after the birth of a child, including:
-"Building fondness and affection for your partner"
-"Being aware of what is going on in your spouse's life and being responsive to it"
-"Approaching problems as something you and your partner can control and solve together as a couple"
Who will do the cooking, laundry, and housework?
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That question comes from Back2Bach, who adds: "What can we do as a couple to divide the routine chores and responsibilities so that each feels they're making an equal contribution to the relationship and daily living?"
Back2Bach is onto something: According to a 2007 Pew Research poll, sharing household chores is the third most important factor in a successful marriage. (The first two are faithfulness and a happy sexual relationship).
In an excerpt from "Fast-Forward Family" published in The Atlantic, three researchers write that even today, women tend to shoulder the brunt of their family's housework.
The researchers also write that having some guidelines about who does which chores when can be helpful:
"The couples in our study who lacked clarity on what, when, and how household tasks and responsibilities would be carried out often said that they felt drained and rushed and had difficulty communicating their dissatisfaction in their lives. Spouses who appeared to have a clear and respectful understanding of one another's roles and tasks, in contrast, did not spend as much time negotiating responsibilities; their daily lives seemed to flow more smoothly."
How much debt (if any) do you have?
Flickr / Kate Hiscock
VanDriver1 writes, "It may not be a deal breaker in regards to getting married but A $20k surprise after the wedding is not something you need to deal with."
An honest conversation about finances — especially about debt — is key before getting married, or even getting serious. As Business Insider reported, lying about your debt can potentially destroy your relationship.
For one thing, Valerie Rind, author of "Gold Diggers and Deadbeat Dads: True Stories of Friends, Family, and Financial Ruin," said, "If you're tying your horse to someone else's wagon, you need to know not only what's coming in, but what's going out."
What's more, Rind said, "You need to know how somebody runs their finances because that totally affects the whole picture."
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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SEE ALSO: 7 strategies that can help make your relationship happier in 10 minutes or less
from Business Insider https://ift.tt/2MACxWp
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