Three Months To Prep For Next Major Shift In The Relationship!

[Momofthree]

So my partner of 7 months and I decided that he will move in at the beginning of May! I'm excited, yet terrified at the same time. We've talked about it off and on for a while now, I've always been the one to say I wasn't ready yet, but I think I'm there. I told him I needed about three months to make the transition, giving me plenty of time to freak out at least 10 times before the big day. He laughed and said it'd be more like 20 times. We've talked about marriage, he's saving up for the ring and we'll be officially engaged some time between now and July. I'm 30 and divorced with three children, he's 28 never married and no kids. My kids love him and he loves them. It will also be the first time I've lived with a man since I left my abusive ex husband so there will be lots of triggers. All that being said I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to make the adjustment as smooth as possible. I want it to be a positive experience but I know the bad stress will be filling my cup up like crazy during this time.

 

[Friday]

Has he done weekends, yet? Weeks, over?

Still different from living full time, people tend to mind their manners more / the excitement of it can wash away some of the negatives which will glare when the shiny wears off (the vacation like feel to it). But it can help transition.

 

[Julesnaz]

I don't know what your living situation is, but make sure you have enough space for another person. Me and my ex had a 530 sq foot studio apt and it was not good. There was nowhere for either of us to go if we wanted to be alone. It was a huge stressor.

 

[Momofthree]

@FridayJones He's done a couple of over nights and we plan to start doing some more plus weekends and work our way up over the next three months.
@Julesnaz I own a 4 bedroom 2 bath house with a large back yard. I have three kids, a dog, and a cat. He'll be coming in with a dog and a giant tortoise (like the ones you see at the zoo, he rescued him from a petting zoo that was shut down). We have the space, the biggest issue I can for see is me just having a man in my space full time. I moved here after I left my ex so, so far it's all my space.