Couples often start to grow apart when children come into the picture. Does this describe what happened to your relationship? Children and relationships can be a recipe for dynamism for you and your spouse, but can also lead to trouble and estrangement.
The challenges of maintaining a relationship while parenting
Parenting brings joys and rewards but it also draws on the emotional resources of the couple. There is a redistribution of attention to the needs of the children and family. Work and maintaining the home and family come first and the couple most often comes last.
Couples may take turns letting the other go to the gym or see friends but time for the couple often becomes family time or, at best, an occasional dinner out with friends. What happened to walks together, movies, or conversations about something other than the kids or schedules? We start forgetting that before we were parents we were lovers.
Caring for children requires creating a stable environment. Responsibility and being serious become primary objectives. Romance requires spontaneity and focusing on the couple. Once committed to having children, parents forget how to balance the intimacy and romance that brought them together with the demands of parenthood. Sex often gets put off for later because there are more pressing needs of the family.
Intimacy begins in the first exchange in the morning, with a friendly kiss or hello. A call or text during the day that isn’t about the schedule can be a quick and meaningful way to connect in the middle of the day.
Communication that allows each side to be heard and acknowledged can become a struggle about who is right. Don’t let your disappointments fester into laundry lists of accusations and misunderstandings. Now is the time to seek help from a psychologist and repair what time has eroded. Dr. Mann can help you reclaim your relationship and find new meaning in your connection.
Treasure both your children and relationship
The teenage years bring new changes and challenges to your children and relationships. Your children require a different type of investment and so does your relationship. Dr. Mann can help you on your journey to rediscover your partner and lover while creating a meaningful relationship together.
Don’t wait to get help. Call Dr. Mann today or just fill out the form and click Send.
