Be aware of what you and your partner want for yourselves and what you want from the relationship.
Let one another know what your needs are.
Realize that your partner will not be able to meet all of your needs. Some of these needs will have to be met outside the relationship.
Be willing to negotiate and compromise on the things you want from one another.
Do not demand that a partner change to meet all your expectations. Work to accept the differences that you see between your ideal and the reality.
Try to see things from the other's point of view. This doesn't mean that you must agree with one another, but rather that you can expect yourself and your partner to understand and respect your differences, your points of view and your separate needs.
Where critical differences exist in your expectations, needs, opinions or views,try to negotiate.
Have compassion for each other and yourself if you realize that there are too many differences for the relationship to work.
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