Staying Sane While Merging Two Households

With summer just around the corner and kids getting out of school, it’s the time of year for vacations, cookouts, and of course, weddings. Whether you’re getting married and combining families or a young couple that’s decided to move in together, combining households can be a major undertaking.

Moving in together can be an exciting adventure. It can also be a catalyst for disagreements, so we’ve got some pointers for you to make the process as smooth as possible in order to enjoy this next big step together:

Open Communication
This is definitely the most important commitment you can make with your partner (and your partner’s children, if applicable) in order to ensure a happy home. Disagreements will happen. Mistakes and unintentional hurts are very likely. But if everyone agrees from the start to speak up, openly and with compassion, these instances can be used to learn more about each other and strengthen the relationships.

Start with the Easy Stuff
If there is one coffee table or wall hanging that you just know is going to be a contentious issue, then that’s not the place to start. Chances are, you have reached agreement – and even a level of excitement – about certain items. Maybe you both agree that your living room furniture is the set you’ll keep, while your partner’s goes on Craigslist. Maybe your blender is on its last legs, and you’ve been excited to use your partner’s Nutribullet every day. Get all of these things out of the way first, as it will set a tone of accomplishment and teamwork.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Decided Today
Maybe your partner has an old recliner that you have sworn will never make it to your new home together. It’s important to keep in mind that while moving in together is a big transition, it doesn’t have to be a complete “before and after” moment in your lives from which there is no turning back. It’s okay for the recliner to move in for a bit. Let the dust of the big transition settle before bringing it back up.

We hope these tips help create an atmosphere of cooperation and excitement as you merge homes. And as always, if you need any help with what can be a daunting task of organizing this merger, we are here for you. Call us any time: 301-787-4010