Wondering what you can do to help protect your marriage from an affair on the part of either partner? While there is a lot of self respect and loyalty that goes into a marriage, there are some things that you can do to insulate your marriage from the harmful effects of an affair on the part of one or both of you.

You both have to give yourselves permission to need one another. When you need one another you will find that you always go to them for all of your physical and emotional needs. It's when married couples don't allow themselves to need one another that they often turn outside of the relationship, making an affair much more likely.

Remember that many people who end up cheating cheat with a friend. Most married couples would be well advised to limit the number of opposite sex friends that they spend a lot of alone time with. Some experts believe that a man and a woman can never be "just friends" that over time a friendship between just a man and a woman will always turn physical.

Make sure that you both know what you want from the marriage. When you enter into a binding contract with another business you would make clear what you both need. You need to think of your marriage in the same terms, ensuring that you both understand what you need, want, and where you are going together. A shared vision is an important part of a marriage.

Make sure that you have a balanced work load. A marriage that is not built on equality will have a hard time standing strong in the face of temptation. Define your roles together as well as what those roles mean. Don't settle for anything. When you get married you shouldn't settle for your spouse and you should both vow never to settle for anything within the marriage.

Make sure that you always put your spouse and your marriage first. Many people cheat because they don't feel like they ever come first, so affair proof your marriage by always putting your spouse and your marriage first, before kids, work, the house, everything.

Realize that your marriage will change over time. Change doesn't have to be bad, just remember to go through the change together. Remember that sex is important. It is a true need of every human and that you have to be willing to give of yourself in many different ways to continue to have good sex.

Work to get along with your in laws. Tension with your spouse's family can rip your marriage apart in a hurry. Stay true to yourself, but also work to get along and forge bonds with your in-laws.

Don't assume that your children will negatively impact your marriage. In fact, children can strengthen a marriage because it will force both of you to work harder to make time for one another. A great marriage will enhance the life experience of your children, as well.