So, you’re moving in together. (Exciting!) But if we can just rain some truth on that parade real quick? It’s not always one big sleepover. Moving in with your partner can be awesome, don’t get us wrong, but it can also be awful.
When we first moved in together, it was a blast. Playing house, decorating, cooking, heck–even cleaning was fun. Then after a few months we started to hit the speed bumps:
- You spend money on what?
- Seriously, the dishwasher is right there.
- What is this thing in the bathroom?
- Babe, come on, please stop piling that crap in the corner.
- I’m trying to sleep!
- Again, the toilet paper roll goes on this way…
- Why am I the ONLY ONE doing laundry??
You can see where this was going, right? We all get it. We admit it, some of these speed bumps were caused by more than just moving in, that was the catalyst.
So we want to share with you how to use moving in as a catalyst for relationship growth (instead of bickering!) and some tips that can help keep the awful at bay and keep the awesome up front.
1. Figure out your communication styles for critiques and feedback ahead of time. (For when things go awry, ’cause they will, you’ll know how to let each other know in a productive and kind way!)
2. Have many conversations on lifestyle things like diet, sleeping styles, alone time, decor, etc. To see where you’re on the same page and where you may be missing.
3. Have many conversations around division of household management. (Pro-tip: Try to be flexible here!) We’re talking about laundry, dishes, vacuuming, changing sheets, toilet cleaning, repairs, scheduling, frequency, who does what and how often, and most importantly–how do we introduce and continue having these conversations and dividing chores in productive ways? (Avoid the nag tag!)
4. Budget discussion. Are we comfortable talking about money? Who pays for what? Joint account? Groceries? Bills? What if one of you is tight, what happens to the division? Emergency fund?
5. Plan stay at home date nights! SO FUN! We’ve got a FREEBIE here for you on our top 10 (okay, 11!) stay at home date nights! Or signing up for a date box like Crated With Love will do all the work for you! We’ve got a PROMO code for 50% off your first box,simply give us a shout here and it’s all yours!
6. Be prepared to be dynamic. There’s no predicting what will happen, needs and wants change all the time. Fights and conflicts happen, schedule changes, cleanliness, needs for space, etc. Be prepared (as much as you can be!) for things to be changing!
7. Have a blast–long term sleep over! Even though there may be speed bumps, moving in together and creating a life with your partner is really a blast. Make the most of the homebody lifestyle with stay at home dates, snuggles everywhere, quality time, and comfort. It’s totally worth it.
If you’re looking for some stay at home date night ideas or a cheat sheet on loving your partner to make moving in together even more fun, check out our freebies here and here. We’d love for you to join our online fam so you don’t miss a thing!
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