Parenthood drastically changes the dynamics between a couple. This is another aspect of parenthood that no one is fully prepared for. You spend years building a close, loving relationship, getting to know each other really well, investing time and energy in the relationship and in each other.
Then come the kids. For most couples, the arrival of children dramatically changes everything. Now you are both tired, sleep deprived and overwhelmed. The little energy that you do have goes to the kids -they are now your first priority.
This is especially true for new mothers. Many of us are so absorbed in the intense experience of caring for a newborn, that it sometimes seems as if there’s no room left for anything else – including ourselves and our partner.
Sometimes I think it’s a miracle that relationships survive these first few months (or years) of parenthood, but the good news is, healthy relationships do. The time you spent together building memories and developing the basis of your relationship should take you though the first few months. After that, it IS important to try and find the time – and the energy – to spend time together as a couple. Personally, I have found that a weekly “date night” is hugely helpful in keeping things fresh and interesting and making sure that we still view each other as a man and a woman, not just as parents.
Image credit: adam Jones
