When people say having a baby changes everything, we tend to think about sleep schedules, finances, social calendars, and even our bodies. But what is often overlooked is how much becoming parents will affect your relationship. Between changing dirty diapers and wiping boogers, it can be difficult to navigate this transition; but that’s where we come in. Here are some tips for keeping your relationship strong as you add “parents” to your repertoire.
Check In Regularly
Take 5-10 minutes every day to check in with one another about life – where you feel like you’re crushing and the areas that need work. Talk about your strengths, weaknesses, where you could help, parts of the day that feel like a lot, etc. This is an excellent way to stay connected and let your partner know when and where you need extra encouragement or help (and vice versa).
Turn Small Moments Into Big Moments
Washing dishes or folding laundry together might sound boring, but these chores are perfect times to catch up and have uninterrupted conversations. Take advantage of every opportunity like this you can get.
Vibe Check
As new parents, there will be stressful moments where you may be tempted to tell your partner everything they are doing wrong. Instead, get through the moment, then once you have calmed down, strike up a conversation about what happened and how you can better navigate those moments in the future.
Show Love
Sometimes words aren’t enough. If you don’t know your partner’s love language, now is the perfect time to learn it.
Express Yourself and Your Gratitude
Did your partner do something especially helpful? Tell them! Don’t let the opportunity to express gratitude pass you by. And don’t hesitate to revisit that moment later to let your partner know how much they mean to you.
Be Child-Free Sometimes
And don’t feel guilty about it! Even scheduling a babysitter for an hour so you can have an uninterrupted cup of coffee together is something. You won’t regret these child-free moments. It’s okay to start small and eventually work up to a night or weekend away.
Allow Time for Separate Self-Care
Alone time can work wonders for your mental health, so make sure you and your partner have time to be by yourselves throughout your week. Use this time to do something you love – or simply do nothing!
Do you have any tips for navigating relationships after becoming parents? Share them with us in the comments below!