Marriage advice coming from successful married couples is always a big help to couples who are encountering difficulty in the early stages of their marriage. The following are some of these advices:

Children are Your Primary Priority This is a bad advice if you are going to put your partner second. Of course, taking care of your children is important, but do not reduce the importance of giving your attention to your partner. Being the best parent doesn’t need you to be a bad husband or wife. Remember, no physical care can substitute the emotional joy it brings to children who see their parent happily in love.

Take care of yourself Not because you are married, it does not mean you have to forget your own needs. Yes, marriage is a bond between two people, but it doesn’t mean you have to forget about yourself. Just like everything, balanced attention to your to your family and yourself makes a happy and fulfilled married life.

Communicate Properly “Listen”, it’s what you both need. Whenever your partner says something, listen, pay attention and let is sink in first before reacting. Good communication and listening are two important skills you as a couple should develop to improve your relationship.

“Let there be Spaces in your Togetherness” – Khalil Gibran When you marry someone, you get a complete package. And whether you like it or not, there are some things you don’t like, but need to take. It doesn’t necessarily mean though that you need to change everything in order to adapt. This is where many partners usually fail. As they try to be something else just to please their partner, they lose their identity that will later on ruin the relationship. The advice? Don’t force yourself to love soccer if you don’t or learn sewing if you think it’s too feminine. There is nothing wrong with giving spaces to your partner just make sure you both understand that you are doing this for the good of your relationship.

Things still need to be separated This may sound silly but one reason why most marriage doesn’t work is because your partner cannot claim any space he or she can own. Sharing is what marriage is all about, but there still be things that need to be separated and things you can call your own. Simple things such as having a different drawer or keeping a separate drawer will save you a lot of trouble later on.

When you get married, it doesn’t mean you have to make him or her your world. Remember this marriage advice and stay together for the rest of your life.

Andy Jakes is a blogger and marriage counselor. He has been giving marriage advice to couple who seek his help both in online and off-line.