When Should You Get Engaged?

First things first. Can you feed yourself and put a roof over your head with no assistance from Mom or Dad? Can you realistically take care of yourself and anyone else (like kids) that comes along?

Have you known your beloved long enough to have one epic argument? If you are still making goo goo eyes at each other, you don't know each other well enough, yet. It takes two years to really know another person. If you have known him for six months and really feel you know everything there is to know about him, you should be alarmed. This sounds like a person who lacks depth and substance. If you are so in love that you are just sure you are ready to get married, you will still be in love in another eighteen months, but, you will be much more prepared to be married because you know each other so much better. When should you get engaged? When you have dated for at least eighteen months - two years while living in the same area.

When should you get engaged? When you have found at least one or two things out about the man you love that you DO NOT love. Do you know what his shortcomings are? If you knew that his very worst traits would never improve by more than 10%, could you live with it for the next 50 years? If the answer is yes, you might be ready to get engaged.

When should you get engaged? If you have met each others families and had a chance to really get to know each other, you should assess how comfortable you are making these people your family. If you are excited about the prospect of calling these folks your own, you might be ready to get engaged.

When should you get engaged? When you have sat down and discussed the tough stuff. The tough stuff falls under the heading of children, finances, career, sex, religion, values, and how to spend your time together and apart.

After your discussions, you should have a clear picture of whether or not you and your boyfriend have a similar vision of your life together. When should you get engaged? When your head agrees with your heart and you can walk into a marriage knowing you have made a wise choice.

A woman can get everything she wants out of a relationship with a man without being pushy or manipulative. She just needs to think with her head and heart to apply some skills that will allow her to be successful in her relationship.