Family, Friends & Guests Etiquette
- Question:
My fiancé’s parents and my parents are divorced, and suddenly I’m getting nervous that we’re doomed to the same fate. Am I being paranoid or perceptive?
- Answer:
Actually, your fears are understandable, given your family histories. A proactive strategy would be to talk to a marriage counselor, who can address the marital expectations both of you have and help you deal with any areas of potential conflict, such as how to get along with your future in-laws or how to handle money. Don't be shy about asking for advice-many newlyweds need help in talking to one another about sensitive subjects. Something else worth discussing: What did you each learn from your parents' marriage, and what mistakes would you rather not duplicate? And here's a bit of good news to ease your mind: Divorce rates have been gradually dropping for years, according to the National Center for Health Statistics—which also tracks marriage stats—and they're currently at the lowest point in more than two decades.
- This content originally appeared in Brides magazine.
