Learning about your new family....

Discover more about the person you have married and the family you have married into. Discuss the following with your spouse:

- What is the relationship between your spouse’s parents and yourself?
- What is your position in the sibling hierarchy?
- What are some of your privileges and responsibilities in your family?
- What are the similarities and differences between your family and your spouse’s?
- What qualities of your parents’ family do you want to bring into your new family?

Your immediate family comes first

By placing your spouse and your marriage above your parent’s family in terms of priority, you are choosing the adult role of being a husband and wife over your role as a child in your parent’s family. This builds your spouse’s confidence in the marriage and encourages him/her to help you in your efforts to maintain good family ties.

Let your parents know that you care, love and respect them. But at the same time, let them know you want to set the rules for your new family as well.