Even in healthy relationships, kids bring additional stress to the table. Rather than putting yourselves first, you have another human, or several to look after. If both of you work full-time, it’s even harder to find time to be parents as well as keep the flame of your relationship alive.
For this reason, many parents tend to put their relationships on the back burner as a second priority. However, as a result, the dynamic of your marriage can change for the worse. Even though making your children a priority is essential, one of the biggest blessings you can give your children is a happy and healthy marriage. Here are some of the best ways to keep your marriage going strong after becoming parents.
Make Date Night a Priority
Studies show that spending some one on one time together at least twice a month is the best way to make you feel connected. Unfortunately, a lot of parents use the excuse of not having anyone to watch the kids. However, it’s crucial to find a nanny or babysitter to be able to have kid-free time once in a while. Make it a priority and an investment in your future!
Enforce Kids Sleeping In Their Own Beds
Even though your cute child may beg to sleep in your room out of fear of the monsters under the bed, it’s important to have a healthy sex life. Kids in your bed isn’t the way to encourage regular intimacy.
Not only should your room be baby and kid-free, but it should also be free of toys or kid-related distractions that could ruin the mood for love.
Disagree Without Fighting
Even happy and healthy relationships have periods of arguing. The trick is learning how to argue constructively. It’s possible to disagree on something without having to fight about it. Avoid being too confrontational or steamrolling each other. Let each other speak and maintain eye contact.
Show Each Other Appreciation
Everyone needs to feel appreciated, even if you’ve been together for decades. It’s important to make an effort to show your loved one that you love them. It doesn’t always have to be in the form of physical gifts; you can also show your appreciation through the form of favors, gestures, and language.
The goal is to show that you value them and their needs, and aren’t afraid to put in work to demonstrate it.
While your marriage may never be perfect, and no ones is, the idea is to make a consistent effort to keep your relationship strong. By putting in the work and getting in some alone time together as much as possible, you’ll find that you’ll remain close over the years.
