5 important things you must discuss with your partner before getting married

Everyone has big, critical relationship chats before they marry, but you'd be amazed at how many concerns are brushed under the carpet or probably not addressed entirely. Asking the correct questions might set you up for a successful marriage. While you may have different opinions on some matters, the idea is to facilitate an open and honest discussion. 

Here are five questions to ask your partner before you marry, because having an awkward talk now will spare you a lot of distress afterwards.

What are your financial objectives, and how can we work together to achieve them?
Money can be a huge source of conflict in relationships, so, first and foremost, discuss money. Debt, spends, and savings are topics you would want to touch upon. Ask about how you want to split the expenses. "Do you have financial expectations based on your gender?”, “Will our accounts be merged?”, “How will we allocate our funds?” are some of the questions you can begin with. The conversation will help you see if the two of you are financially compatible—not in terms of how much you earn, but in terms of how you see and manage money.

Do you want kids, and what would we do if we couldn't get pregnant?
While you should certainly debate whether or not you both want kids, you should also have a broader discussion. Struggling to conceive can be terrible in a relationship. You may have different opinions about IVF and the various ways to conceive or about adoption. Although your beliefs may change over time, when and if you find yourself in that scenario, speaking up early can ensure you tackle the issue as a team.

What are your deal breakers?
Everybody has a deal-breaker. They may be about whether or not to have children, what values to raise them with, what you need from a companion, where you will live, passion projects you want to pursue, ambitions you need assistance achieving, and so on. Knowing your non-negotiables will give you a clear idea of what life will look like and how you can work around it together. 

What are your childcare and parenting expectations
If you're both set on having children, it's fantastic! What follows next is how to raise them. "If we have children, what are your expectations regarding child care and parenting?" Do you have any expectations depending on your gender? Do you identify as a feminist? Which is your ideal situation—working and caring for the kids? Would you like to remain at home?"—asking these questions can help create a better understanding of each other’s ideologies and parenting ideas. 

What are your marriage-related fantasies?
"Do you have any fantasies about what your marriage and partnership should look like?" is another question you should bring up in your conversation. Your partner may picture home-cooked dinners, weekly date evenings, frequent travel, or functioning as a unit in social circumstances, but that may or may not be what you desire. To avoid surprises and disappointment after the wedding, be aware of each other's marital desires and dreams.