Remarriages are becoming the norm in society today. After moving on from divorce, many people want to be married again. After all, human beings yearn to spend their lives with someone they love. However, remarriage can be tricky since divorcees carry a lot of baggage from their previous marriage. Besides emotional baggage, couples who are remarrying need to decide about finances, living arrangements and step-parenting duties.

undefined

The good news is that you can make your remarriage work. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind:

1. Discuss the step-parent’s role in raising your children

Usually, at least one of the spouses has a child or children. This means that you’re now the step-parent. Studies suggest that it’s best if the step-parent assumed the role of a good friend, counselor or mentor rather than the disciplinarian. Often, the role of the child’s disciplinarian rests with custodial parent.

Discuss the role you need to play in your future spouse’s children’s lives. It’s important to set parenting duties before tying the knot.

2. Decide your financial arrangement

Apart from parenting duties, most couples fight about money. In order to ensure that you’re second wedding is a successful one, it’s essential to decide on your financial arrangement now. You could opt to keep your money and expenses separate or share the financial burden. However, couples who shared the expenses are reportedly happier than ones who kept their wealth separate.

Decide whatever works for you and your new spouse. Moreover, a full disclosure of finances ensures that there is no resentment in the future.

3. Resolve conflicts from your previous marriage

Before starting a new life, it’s pertinent that you resolve all past conflicts. The same is true for your second marriage. Leaving things unsaid and unresolved from your first marriage can affect the second one. For example, if you’ve been cheated on in your first marriage, you’re more likely to be suspicious of your new spouse. You may think that he or she may betray you just like your first husband or wife.

Before embarking on your second married life, ensure that you’ve resolved all your conflicts from the first marriage and have the courage to fully trust your future spouse.

4. It’s better to move into a new home together

Living arrangements should be decided before reading your vows to each other. You can either live in your or your spouse’s existing home or move into a new house together. Studies show that it’s better if you both into a new house together rather than live in your existing accommodation. This is because the new home will be a new environment – one in which both of you’ll can make new memories together.

5. For children not living with parents, it’s important to maintain your visiting schedule

After remarrying, it’s important to stick to your visiting schedule. This ensures that your children don’t feel abandoned because of your new romance. If you’ve been visiting your children three times a week, don’t make it once or twice a week after marriage.

Remarriage can be a difficult transition, but these handy tips can help you ease the process. But if you need help in making it work, feel free to contact Orly Gueron a Licensed marriage and family therapist and relationship specialist in Aventura, FL!