As any married couple knows, having kids can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of your life. But as you also may know, it can put a lot of strain on your relationship. If you’re looking for ways to keep your marriage strong after having kids, here are 3 tips:
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Please note: I am not a relationship expert, I am just sharing tips based on my personal experiences. However, the tips I have included below are great to apply to any relationship that you truly value.
Top 3 Tips for a Succesful Marriage
1. Make time for each other
Just because you’re parents now doesn’t mean that quality time with each other should take the backseat.
I know how difficult it can be to manage your growing family and prioritize time with your spouse.
My husband and I actually neglected date nights for many years as we struggled to juggle parenting, our relationship with each other, and just life in general.
However, our elders kept reminding us how important it was for us to continue dating each other. We eventually took their advice and started prioritizing having time together without the kids present.
Take time out of your busy schedule to go on dates, talk about your day, and just enjoy each other’s company. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. It can be as simple as putting the kids to bed and having a glass of wine together.
It’s about making time to just connect with each other.
2. Keep communication open.
Communication is key in any relationship and this is especially true when you’re parents. Talk to each other about how you’re feeling and be open to each other’s points of view.
There’s a lot that can go unnoticed if it isn’t openly communicated, and that can be detrimental to your relationship.
According to Dr. Brahmanand Nayak, MD, “Many marriages fail because of poor communication.”
Don’t let your marriage fall prey to poor communication. Explore new ways to effectively communicate with one another. Be honest with one another so that you maintain trust within your relationship. Be respectful of each other’s opinions. Be open to learning more about each other.
My husband and I are currently working our way through our Question-a-Day book that we received as a gift from my in-laws. This has been a very interesting way for us to learn more about one another and just really communicate in a totally new way.
3. Show appreciation.
Sometimes it’s easy to take each other for granted when you’re busy with the kids. Make sure to take a step back and show your appreciation for each other.
Acknowledge the hard work that each of you put in to effectively manage your family and daily tasks.
Take some time to show your gratitude for your commitment to one another. Or just simply say “Thank you” for being you.
Gratitude is truly the key to a happy life, and it should definitely be a major part of your marriage.
Never let a day go by where you don’t say “Thank you” to your spouse.
Wrapping Up
These are just a few tips for how to keep your marriage strong after having kids, but of course, there are many more. With dedication, appreciation, and a commitment to growing together, you and your spouse can have a happy, healthy marriage no matter the stage of life you’re in.
