From an Australian Marriage Celebrant friend:

Marriage Education and Family Relationship Services


"I love you"
"I care about you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you"
"I want to have fun with you."


Planning and preparing for your wedding day can be really exciting. Sometimes it can be a little challenging. Organising any event takes a lot of time, thought, consideration and support. With your wedding day you will probably have a fair idea of what you both want. Do you know what you want for your marriage. because after the wedding day comes your marriage.


How Does Marriage Education Fit Into the Picture?


In five, ten, twenty years from now, when you look back over your wedding photographs or reflect upon your marriage, do you want to be able to feel as much love and joy for your partner as you did on that special day?


Do you want to feel joy, knowing that they are someone who has been through the ups and downs with you, with respect, care and support?


Do you want to still hold hands, laugh together and hold a twinkle in your eye for each other?


Well, for many of us, as we have journeyed through life, we haven't had any training in the art of relating. We have gotten this far, quite often flying by the seat of our pants, picking up snippets of information (and conditioning) here and there, from family and friends, schools and colleges, co-workers or from more dubious sources such as magazines, television shows and movies. need I say more.


What we come up with is a hotchpotch of ideas, values and ways of communicating. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There are exciting and fulfilling ways to gain further information and ideas that can fill up your relationship 'tool bag' with some essential life skills.


Think of it this way. Quite often you may undertake professional development or study to further your work or career to reach new goals or for your ongoing success. When we consider the importance of your home and family life, it might be time to book in for some ongoing relationship development for your shared growth and success!


As a marriage celebrant, and a former relationship educator, I have had the opportunity to come in contact with many couples - young and old, short term and long term relationships, first time marriages, second time.


It has been my experience that couples who take the time to participate in a relationship education program get tremendous benefits and insights into the art of relating.


What is marriage education? They are programs designed to take a practical look at relating in an intimate relationship. Whilst each of the programs may have a different focus, it is highly likely they will primarily explore communication skills and ways to enhance relationships. They will also share how to 'fight fairly' otherwise known as conflict resolution skills. Different topic areas like children, finances, work and leisure, family of origin, sexuality, spiritual beliefs, couple compatibility are also common components. Many of the skills learnt are basic interpersonal skills which are invaluable and transferable into many different areas of our lives. Work, family, in the community .




'We don't have the time", or "the money", or "We never fight" or .






There are 101 things that can stop you from exploring this area further. However, given that most couples spend months preparing for their wedding day, what could be more important than 6 hours or more of preparation for the 30 years - or 10,950 days of living together . sharing the delights and the successes and meeting the challenge of sorrow and mistakes in healthy and mature ways so that their relationship can be long and happy and satisfying.


In the words of one of my couples "We would also like to thank you for your advice in the area of marriage education. Although we did not get a chance to investigate this before we were married, we have taken the opportunity to see someone before the birth of our child. This experience was so valuable to both of us, and it has enabled us to take our marriage to another level of understanding. Without your encouragement to seek out this type of support for the simple purpose of improving our marriage, we may not have had the courage to see someone"


Marriage or relationship education is invaluable for building strong and healthy relationships. It reveals many keys to communicating and resolving conflict effectively; understanding the many different processes and cycles that relationships and families go through; discovering the many styles of loving and caring; and it helps to build networks and support amongst couples and families.


Most couples attending pre marriage education courses are
happy and stable couples wanting to develop their life skills together.
The friendships and network of support that often occurs from
couples attending groups is stimulating and rewarding.


Finally, if you ever get into relationship difficulties, take heart, there is support to help you get through it. It can help to have the services of a counselor, even for one session, to help bring light to the situation. It is important to find someone you both like and can work with.


If you have any further questions please feel free to call me or discuss this again at our next meeting.


For further information contact or visit the following organizations:


http://www.interrelate.org.au

http://www.relationships.com.au This site has many great links such as:
a.. Aussie Legal - legal information and law firm referral service
b.. Kids Helpline
c.. Mensline
d.. ConnectED - sex and relationship health network
e.. Australian Institute of Family Studies
f.. Beyond Blue - the National Depression Initiative
g.. SANE Helpline Online
h.. Council on the Aging
i.. Reach Out - a place online that helps young people get through tough times
j.. Stepfamily Zone
k.. Parentlink
l.. Australian Early Childhood Association
m.. And many more.

http://www.relate.gov.au


A very informative site with sections and links for


a.. Building relationships
b.. Stepfamilies
c.. Coping with Change
d.. Parenting
e.. Getting Married
f.. When The Going Gets Tough

http://www.prepare-enrich.com.au


There are many private organizations and individuals who offer marriage education and counseling. Check your local yellow pages, library notice board, church,neighbourhood centre, Adult Communication Education office or health centre and practitioner's surgery. Schools and community centres may also run courses.


Happy Wedding Day! Happy Marriage!