Four Times You Should Ignore Unsolicited Advice

The longer you're in a relationship, the more likely it is that you're going to get unsolicited advice regarding when you and your guy should do certain things. This especially happens after you tell someone how long the two of you have been together. After awhile, it can be tempting to listen to the advice and let it start affecting your decisions and your relationship. Certain topics are just too important to let outside sources impact your decisions. Although friendly advice and opinions can be beneficial, there are certain times when you should drown it out and listen to only yourself and your partner.

When you should have sex

When you start dating someone, it's likely that at least one person is going to ask if the two of you have had sex yet. Should you provide an answer, some may offer unsolicited advice and tell you that you're either waiting too long or you didn't wait long enough. Whether you're waiting or you already had sex with each other, there's a reason you made the decision you did. Considering sex involves emotions, and you're the only one who truly knows how you feel, you're the most qualified person to judge when you're ready.

How long you should wait to get married

I've heard comments more often than I like about when a boyfriend and I should get married. There's been comments from family, friends, co-workers and even those I knew for all of an hour. Marriage is a huge commitment and shouldn't be something you get into because you're feeling pressure from outside sources. Despite what some may tell you, nothing is wrong with you or your relationship because you wait ten months or ten years to get married. Both you and your partner will discuss the subject when the time is right, and only the two of you know when exactly that is.

When you should have kids

Everyone has their opinion about when it's right and wrong to have kids -- before marriage, after marriage, when you're together for a specific amount of time, etc. I once told a friend that my then-boyfriend and I were discussing having kids in the future, and without my asking for her opinion, she went into a speech about how I should wait otherwise I would be making a big mistake. Many are likely going to try to offer their unsolicited advice, but regardless of when you and your partner choose to have kids, it's your decision and no one else's. The two of you are the only ones who truly know where you stand emotionally, financially and in every way that counts for having a child.

When you should move in together

Some think a couple should wait until after marriage to move in together, others think the opposite, and the longer you're together, the more likely it is you're going to hear comments about when you should or shouldn't do it. You and your partner know the reasons why you want to move in together and why it is or isn't the right time. You're also the only two who know if you can stand to be around each other in close quarters for that many hours a day.

You're going to hear a lot of unsolicited advice, but the most important voice to listen to is your own followed by that of your partner -- not everyone is going to agree with your decisions. As easy as it would be to say to tune out the comments, it's not as simple as some may think. Keep in mind that, even if you do ask for the opinions of others, these are major life decisions and no one knows your relationship like you and your partner do. Make time to discuss things with each other. Even if some are offering unsolicited advice in an effort to prevent you from making a mistake, it's still your mistake to make. Nothing is guaranteed, and sometimes taking chances is the best way to figure out what's right for you .

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