Okay friends, my research has begun in full force and I need your help! I am conducting a survey for newlyweds, "married with kids," and "empty nesters" for my research project, so whatever category you fit into - I would LOVE if you would respond to these questions!
How long have you been married?
How long did you and your spouse really know each other before you married?
Looking back, how prepared do you feel you were for marriage?
If you have kids, how long did you wait before starting your family?
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
What challenges have you faced at this stage in your marriage?
If you have kids, has your relationship changed since you've added them to your family?
If so, in what way(s)?
What resources or support systems do you have that benefit your marriage?
What advice do you have for young couples contemplating marriage and starting a family?
AND THE BIGGY......
What is/are the biggest need(s) that you have as a husband/wife at this stage in your marriage?
If you can only take the time to answer ONE question, please answer the last one!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
6 comments:
I'll have a post in response you your questions this evening and ask all my blogging friends to do the same. Hopefully you'll get a bunch of answers. :) Happy researching
Your survey has been completed on my blog too!!
Hope you find the answers you are looking for. By the way, I've been trying to use the hyperlink function and due to my computer illiteracy have messed it up time and again BUT it's finally worked and YOUR NAME is my first hyperlink. Aren't you just so honoured?? Sorry, its almost 2 am and I should be in bed.
Hi Amy, I don't know you either but I'll post my answers on my blog and you can do with them what you want :)
Hi! I left my answers on my blog too!
http://mykidsmom.wordpress.com
I don't know you either (I am noticing a theme) and I try to avoid survey's on my blog, but here are my answers:
How long have you been married?
** We've been married for just over 2 years.
How long did you and your spouse really know each other before you married?
** We met in November and were aquantences until about March. We were good friends/safe dating until April or May, when we decided to get married. We got engaged in September, and got married the following January. So, just over a year, but we only "really knew" each other for less than a year.
Looking back, how prepared do you feel you were for marriage?
** We were ready to get married in the terms that we needed to be together, but I know that I wasn't ready for the emotional crash once the wedding happens. I think that we were realistic going in - we both knew it was going to be a lot of work and not a picnic, but I didn't expect my world to spin on its axis once the wedding was done.
If you have kids, how long did you wait before starting your family?
** 2 years
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
** We have 0.5 children :) I'm due in August.
What challenges have you faced at this stage in your marriage?
** Well, my husband had to travel a lot in the first year of our marriage, which was really hard on me emotionally. I ended up being diagnosed with moderate depression and was medicated (or other problem, besides the travel, was that we lived in an apartment with two windows that were blocked by trees, which meant that I got no sunlight ever when I was home). During my medication period, I found a lack of conscience in myself and had an emotional affair, which nearly led to divorce after only 1 year of marriage. We managed to get through that, and now we're facing the joint challenge of pregnancy and getting ready for this baby.
If you have kids, has your relationship changed since you've added them to your family?
** Our child hasn't been born yet, but yes, our relationship is changing.
If so, in what way(s)?
** I find I am much more dependant on my husband to help me with things. Understand, he does most of the housework already, but I find I need help with my memory and stuff like that. He's been very supportive and kind to me. I also find that we're having to change our focus - our lives aren't about each other any more, but about our growing family.
What resources or support systems do you have that benefit your marriage?
** We have great families for support, and have been blessed with very good friendships through the people at our church.
What advice do you have for young couples contemplating marriage and starting a family?
** Young brides need to be prepared for the "switch" that happens right after the wedding. Life ceases to be about you and what you're doing, and depending on the length of the engagement... one can really get used to that. I wasn't consciously aware of that when we got married, so I was disappointed and sad. I guess that shows how vain I was/am! :) I think I would also tell them that co-habitating is NOT as easy as it looks, especially if one of the couple is used to living on their own.
AND THE BIGGY......
What is/are the biggest need(s) that you have as a husband/wife at this stage in your marriage?
** My biggest needs at this point? Hmmm... I'm a strong believer in the 5 love languages, so I find that my strongest need is always the one language my husband isn't currently speaking :) Ha ha ha. I would say that my biggest needs right now, though, is probably patience, understanding, and calm. I need a quiet environment where I can relax and feel safe.
Hi Amy...I am yet another stranger who has done the survey for your research!! My sister Shannon put out the call to all her blogging friends to help you out, and I hope my answers help even a little bit! You can find me at www.tokensister.blogspot.com
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