Stages of a Relationship: What is Normal?

of a Relationship What is Normal? Generally, you start and end up in the same stage. Each stage consists of a variety of attitudes and beliefs about the relationship, which in turn, influences the level of engagement and time commitment to the relationship. 1. CASUAL No desire to get married and just wants to have fun. Simple, convenient and meets sexual needs. STATUS You are one of several partners in his/hers life (aka: "bench" "stable" or "roster") You might be "Friends" on Facebook, or get an occasional text your way to "catch up" or even dinner/movie if there is a high chance of play time later. BEHAVIOR Based primarily on sexual desire and low effort to have available for the occasional hook-up. INCLUSION You won't be missed if you decide to move on. LONG-TERM PROSPECT Seeing you once every couple of weeks or 2-3 times a month. TIME COMMITMENT 2. PRE-MARRÍAGE Someone that has potential for a sustained, long-term relationship. STATUS Worthy of an introduction to friends and may even hear him/her make reference that you are their 'girlfriend' or 'boyfriend! Expects you to call, Friend on Facebook (and like all photos and posts.) You will more than likely hang out if friends aren't doing something more interesting that night. BEHAVIOR Trying to determine if you are the "one." Possibly still maintaining "stable" of other partners, but you are the first one on the list called for intimate needs unless there is the 'exclusivity' talk. INCLUSION Ongoing relationship until there is confidence you are marriage potential. LONG-TERM PROSPECT See you 3-4 times a week. This includes the occasional sleep over or as simple as lunch. TIME COMMITMENT 3. MARRÍAGE Ready for Marriage. STATUS All other "roster" type relationships will end immediately and will not think twice about deleting their numbers from the phone. You will be introduced as "the one," and he/she is no longer available for the long weekends of partying with friends/being wing-man. BEHAVIOR Have a serious conversation about the status of the relationship to ensure the two of you are on the same page. Set boundaries and manage expectations moving forward. If you fail to do so, it will cause confusion. INCLUSION Exclusivity would be expected so there shouldn't be much on your schedule to prevent that. Settling down and possibly starting a family with you. LONG-TERM PROSPECT Will expect you to be available unconditionally. Will want to see him daily or 4-5 times a week at minimum, text/call multiple times during the day, and get excited about spending the holidays with family. TIME COMMITMENT References 1)http://thoughtcatalog.com/nico-lang/2013/08/29-eye-opening-dating-facts-that-will-change-the-way-you-vie w-relationships/ 2)http://www.unmarried.org/statistics/ 3)http://www.grabstats.com/statcategorymain.aspx?StatCatID=44 4)http://facts.randomhistory.com/dating-and-relationship-facts.html 5)http://visual.ly/magic-number-happy-relationships 6)http://www.foryourmarriage.org/factsfigures/ 7)The Five Love Languages, by Gary D Chapman alignedStgns get • to know you