Love and Relationship Expert

Retirement brings with it a new set of challenges for couples but rest assured whilst you may be able to change yourself you probably cannot change your spouse.

It is challenging when faced with a spouse who demonstrates behaviour that you find hard to accept such as gambling, excessive drinking, spending too much money, or being unfaithful. Retirement offers the opportunity to pursue hobbies and do all the things you have previously not had time for but it also offers the opportunity to over indulge in pastimes that are not necessarily good for your relationship.

Plan ahead for this new chapter in your life and enjoy every moment of retirement.

Are you looking forward to your last day at work? With your 'happy retirement' card in your bag and a spring in your step you leave the office for the last time. Are you excited about the future? Do you have plans to travel or take up voluntary work or do you wonder what on earth you're going to do with your time. There is no doubt that the key to a successful and fulfilling retirement is regarding this next chapter in your life as a challenge to relish and above all enjoy.

With all the wonders that there are within your marriage, the highs and lows, the ups and the downs, there can be nothing more important than finding simple ways to say I LOVE YOU.

It can be said with words with a cross at the end of the note or a passionate poem. Whatever works for you and your partner is just fine as long as it is said and it really does work.

You may be getting married for the second or third time and there may be future step children to consider along with your own children. Ask yourself how they might be feeling about your wedding. It is important to remember that everyone's feelings are relevant at this critical time and everyone should be given plenty of time to express how they are feeling and what is on their mind. With this in mind it really is important to make time to sit down and find out how children from previous relationships are feeling about your forthcoming marriage.

When you run out of conversation and have nothing to say to each other, there is a real chance that your relationship could be heading towards serious problems. You may wonder why you are going out to eat in a restaurant if you are just looking at the walls or talking about the food that you are eating!

Now there is nothing wrong with sitting in silence and just feeling content with the fact that you are doing so and it is true that some couples speak more than others and that is fine but the warning signs are there when you look at your partner and think to yourself "I actually don't want to speak to them".