It's important to give focus to your children but it can cause some uneven ground with your partner. Here are some tips to help keep your relationship alive while balancing the everyday rigmarole.
As a parent, your kids tend to be your main priority. But between juggling the demands of your job, school drop-offs, extra-mural activities, cooking, cleaning, homework and drawn-out bedtime routines, making time for your partner can be difficult and is often last on your seemingly never-ending list.
Prioritise quality time
It's important to make intentional effort to spend quality time as a couple. Schedule regular date nights or carve out time for just the two of you, away from the kids. It can be as simple as a quiet dinner, going for a walk, or enjoying a shared hobby.
Keep an open and honest dialogue
Maintaining open and honest communication with your partner is crucial. Share your feelings, concerns and needs with your partner and let them share theirs too. Being attentive and actively listening is extremely validating for the other person.
It's important to make intentional effort to spend quality time as a couple. Schedule regular date nights or carve out time for just the two of you, away from the kids. It can be as simple as a quiet dinner, going for a walk, or enjoying a shared hobby.
Keep an open and honest dialogue
Maintaining open and honest communication with your partner is crucial. Share your feelings, concerns and needs with your partner and let them share theirs too. Being attentive and actively listening is extremely validating for the other person.
Share parenting responsibilities
Distribute parenting tasks and responsibilities between the both of you. Delegating and supporting each other in daily parenting duties will allow for a more balanced workload and reduce stress as a result. It will also mean you'll have more opportunities to spend time together.
Distribute parenting tasks and responsibilities between the both of you. Delegating and supporting each other in daily parenting duties will allow for a more balanced workload and reduce stress as a result. It will also mean you'll have more opportunities to spend time together.
Practice empathy and understanding
Most people just want to be heard, seen, and understood. Recognise that both you and your partner may be juggling multiple responsibilities and experiencing stress or burnout. Practice empathy and understanding towards each other's challenges. Be patient, supportive and offer a listening ear.
Most people just want to be heard, seen, and understood. Recognise that both you and your partner may be juggling multiple responsibilities and experiencing stress or burnout. Practice empathy and understanding towards each other's challenges. Be patient, supportive and offer a listening ear.
Encourage each other to perform acts of self-care
As much as it's important to spend time together, it's also important for you to take some time for yourselves. If you notice your partner is spreading themselves too thinly and not making time for things they previously enjoyed, encourage them to pursue them.
Try to see the funny side to everyday situations
Finding moments of levity and laughter amid the busyness of parenting can really help to diffuse tension in the household. Make a point to share light-hearted moments, inside jokes, and humorous experiences that may have happened during the day.
Lean on others for support
The adage 'it takes a village to raise a child' may be cliché, but it exists for a reason. Asking for help or seeking support from family, friends or trusted individuals can lighten the load and allow you and your partner to have some much-needed time together.
Stay on track of shared goals and aspirations
It's easy to lose focus of your shared goals and aspirations when you're dealing with day-to-day responsibilities, but looking to the future will help you stay motivated, maintain a sense of shared purpose and keep your relationship grounded. Revisit or discuss your shared and individual long-term plans, dreams, and aspirations.
As much as it's important to spend time together, it's also important for you to take some time for yourselves. If you notice your partner is spreading themselves too thinly and not making time for things they previously enjoyed, encourage them to pursue them.
Try to see the funny side to everyday situations
Finding moments of levity and laughter amid the busyness of parenting can really help to diffuse tension in the household. Make a point to share light-hearted moments, inside jokes, and humorous experiences that may have happened during the day.
Lean on others for support
The adage 'it takes a village to raise a child' may be cliché, but it exists for a reason. Asking for help or seeking support from family, friends or trusted individuals can lighten the load and allow you and your partner to have some much-needed time together.
Stay on track of shared goals and aspirations
It's easy to lose focus of your shared goals and aspirations when you're dealing with day-to-day responsibilities, but looking to the future will help you stay motivated, maintain a sense of shared purpose and keep your relationship grounded. Revisit or discuss your shared and individual long-term plans, dreams, and aspirations.
Seek help from a professional
There is no shame in turning to a professional if the busy parenting season is putting a strain on your relationship. In fact, it is an admirable act as it shows that you are committed to finding solutions. A couples’ therapist or counsellor can offer objective insights, and provide guidance, support and strategies to navigate through challenging times.
There is no shame in turning to a professional if the busy parenting season is putting a strain on your relationship. In fact, it is an admirable act as it shows that you are committed to finding solutions. A couples’ therapist or counsellor can offer objective insights, and provide guidance, support and strategies to navigate through challenging times.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR RELATIONSHIP DURING A BUSY PARENTING SEASON
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
July 03, 2023
Rating:
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
July 03, 2023
Rating:
