Why say “YES” to Marriage Preparation
Premarital counselling has been incorporated into my practice to help couples be proactive and help prevent the deep hurt and suffering that I have witnessed resulting from affairs and divorce. Couples who have engaged in this process have benefited greatly. Sentiments that they express include: “I think everyone should do this before getting married. It has improved our communication and given us great tools to work through difficult and touchy subjects.”
What is Marriage Preparation?
- Understand the strengths and challenges in your relationship and how to work through the differences
- Learn the five tips for a successful marriage
- Address ten important questions to be clear about before marriage, so that there is an understanding of the reality of your partner’s stance on issues that could make or break a marriage
- Learn and experience practical tools of communication to work through sensitive subjects
- Learn how to keep your love alive
- Learn about the signs leading to an affair and how to prevent it from happening to you
- Complete a relationship vision
Reasons to say “Yes” to Marriage Preparation
In 2008, 40.7% of marriages in Canada were projected to end in divorce before their thirtieth wedding anniversary. Marriage preparation allows couples to take steps to prevent being one of these statistics.
“Research by four studies has found that taking a skill-based marriage preparation class can reduce the divorce rate by 30%. Also, research has found that couples who increase their positivity, learn how to resolve conflict, prioritize their marriage, and avoid relationship traps are indeed able to increase satisfaction and longevity.”
According to the research, when couples have a baby, two-thirds report that their marital satisfaction goes down. However, if they know how to prioritize and work on their marriage, they will be better able to transition to being parents. This lets them reclaim their marriage after children, allowing them to work well together as parents, friends and spouses.
People invest in their education, careers, interests, parenting, sports, and memberships to stay healthy… isn’t your relationship also worth investing in to keep healthy? Divorce is far more expensive, and depletes your financial and emotional resources.
Getting married without pre-marriage preparation is like starting a business or any important venture without proper preparation. Many marriages end in divorce and only half of those that endure are truly happy in the long run. Learn how to keep your love alive for now and the future.
“Is your relationship worth the time and investment of preparing properly for the most important decision in your life?”
Cathy McCurdy is a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years experience and specializes in the areas of couples counselling, affair recovery, life transitions as well as many others. For more information on Cathy, her work, or other articles she’s written for Living Well click here to link to her full bio page.