The Dating Contract

In continuing with my discussion of marriage, relationships, and potentially facing the end of those…I found an interesting article on MSN that I would like to bring to your attention to today.

The article can be read here.

It caught my attention because it said, “Be the Perfect Girlfriend” and while I know there is no such thing, I just had to see what it was about. The premise is that rather than creating a legal document to secure what to do in the end of marriage or relationship (the pre-nuptial agreement), that you should approach creating the ideal relationship with a legal document, or the Dating Contract.

While it is really meant to be satirical, it makes sense to me. Legally binding, not really a necessity; however, the idea behind it is something that many of us discuss…what we want, and what we need from a relationship should we choose to move it from dating to exclusive or past that level, even. However, this “contract” allows us to clearly spell out and understand both parties from the get go. You know how we all say that the opposite sex is confusing, right? Well, eliminate the confusion and mixed signals, with this!

Now, am I saying that you need one? Am I saying to use one? No, definitely not! It would make you the laughing stock of the dating world, for sure. What I am saying is, read the article, and pay attention to it. Use it as a guide to help you shape and refine your own relationship—and make your “contract” a verbal one!

Regardless of where you stand in your relationship status wise… it is always a good thing to step back and re-evaluate their desires and needs in a relationship. Things happen…life happens, which will have a tremendous affect on any relationship at any time…and that is why this re-evaluation period, with plenty of open communication is necessary.

Perhaps this “contract” can be a source of initiating the conversation that will re-introduce the spark you need to prevent further damage to your marriage or serious, committed relationship. Move from this article (email it to your spouse as a loving joke) to how it relates to the two of you in a face to face conversation and see where it takes you!