Parenthood is a vocation that eats up the bulk of your time, but it’s also a responsibility that’s fulfilling as much as it is essential.
You and your spouse may spend less time on each other as you focus on rearing your kids, but you know for certain that the attention you put into being a good parent can help build a better future for them.
However, you can’t ignore the effects of being a busy parent on your marriage, especially as your family grows and you’re at the peak of both of your careers.
It’s not unusual to experience emotional detachment when you realize you’ve spent too much time on your responsibilities towards your kids. Your interactions at home become routine, and every conversation loses any profound connection.
Making matters worse is the misunderstanding you may have over even the most trivial matters.
This is not to say you will have to choose your union over the welfare and needs of your children. It’s just a matter of finding the right balance that lets you appreciate your marriage more and more as you work together towards building a strong family.
For that, the following tips should help you navigate around the challenges you’re facing.
1. Be Intentional With Family Time
No matter how busy you are at work, you can’t overlook the fact that your family can be a ready source of emotional comfort and relief. The quality time you spend creates opportunities to try new things with your spouse and, at the same time, connect with your children.
You just have to make sure you avoid treating family time as part of your weekly agenda.
Eating out at your kids’ favorite pizza place or going out of town to your spouse’s favorite inland resort isn’t the same as attending a business meeting.
Every opportunity you get to spend with your family should be relished, so don’t let everyone in the family adjust to your schedule or even use the extra time you have to do extra work. Your spouse and the kids need your presence as much as the effort you put into sustaining them.
2. Come Up with a Long-Term Goal Together
Since you’re busy working and caring for the kids, you and your spouse may feel as though there is nothing else to look forward to. There’s still so much to aspire for, especially as your children grow up fast.
You just need to plan another major project together that will allow you to connect, collaborate, and care for each other as you make your way towards a common goal.
You may be planning for an extended vacation to Europe, or you might be thinking of moving to a larger home in a nicer neighborhood. Building a business might also be on the cards, so sit down with your partner and talk about what else is best for the family.
3. Spice Up Romance
It can be difficult to find time for deep intimacy when you have kids at home, but you can explore ways that will help keep the fire of passion alive. Aside from dinner dates, you can also elevate romance by trying roleplaying and positions you haven’t tried before.
You can also opt for physical changes such as an Estherian butt lift or breast augmentation, but it’s more important to be authentic in seeking intimacy and make the act of lovemaking more of an opportunity to connect.
4. Make Time for the Best Milestones
There’s more to life than your career and personal projects, especially if you’re a parent and a spouse. If anything, there’s nothing to compromise when you celebrate major wins at home and do things together as a family.
Your partner is still a major piece, and so are your children, so it’s important to consider that everything you do will always bring you closer together. This is something you will need to realize at the end of the day.
When you think you’ve reached an emotional dead end with your partner, keep in mind that they and the kids are vouching for you. That alone is enough to give you value as a partner and a parent.
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You don’t have to choose between intimacy and parenthood because they are essentially important parts of your life. It’s only a matter of making sure you show up for both.
