If you and your partner have dreamed of expanding your family, when you bring your child home, it can be an incredibly exciting time. Becoming parents is a huge change. While your heart explodes with love for your new little bundle, parenthood also requires you to be flexible, adapt to new routines, and sacrifice certain things. Your relationship with your partner is also bound to change. It’s common to experience challenges as a couple after a baby arrives, but there are lots of ways to overcome those and keep your relationship healthy.
Be intentional about spending time together.
One of the biggest changes in your new life as a parent is how much time you devote to caring for your baby. Feeding, cleaning, and changing diapers takes more time and energy than you might think. It’s important not to let that compromise the time you spend with each other. So, plan a regular date night or afternoon and try your best to stick to it. Maybe it’s something as simple as grabbing coffee or lunch together for an hour or find some extended time by hiring a babysitter or a family member to watch the baby. These small escapes are important to keeping romance alive and fueling deeper connection with one another.
Keep surprises alive.
Your kids become the center of your universe and spoiling them with gifts and attention is normal. But don’t forget to spoil your partner with gifts and attention, too. Surprise your partner with a handwritten note and leave it in their car, taped onto the bathroom mirror, or in their t-shirt drawer. Consider surprising them with a night or weekend away at a local hotel or come home unexpectedly with a bouquet of flowers, their favorite dessert, or a special bottle of wine to share. Little things like this keep the spark alive and add fun to the relationship.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Parenthood brings lots of new responsibilities into your life and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember that you’re not superhuman and being a good parent means taking care of yourself, too! In addition to sharing the load with your partner, ask others to help, too. The old saying ‘it takes a village’ rings true for new parents. So, rely on your community of trusted family members or friends to help support you. Perhaps you just need a nap or an hour to run errands, or maybe you need to hire a nanny or housekeeper to lighten your load. Ask for what you need so you can prioritize your mental, physical, and emotional health.
Make time to connect when you’re not distracted or exhausted.
Having a new baby in the home means that you’ll likely experience sleep deprivation temporarily. This can be incredibly exhausting for new parents and it’s important to keep in mind that it won’t last forever! If you find yourself frustrated with your partner over something or you are struggling with something and need to talk about it, make time to connect when you’re more rested or not distracted. When you’re exhausted or distracted, you might feel more reactive or emotional and not convey what you need in the right way.
Express gratitude.
Expressing your gratitude for each other is a great way to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with your partner. You are likely under different degrees of new stress with your baby around but look at the many positives that surround you! You’ve brought a new life into the world and you have one another to rely on to raise a strong and confident person to positively impact the world. Show your appreciation for little thing your partner does – emptying the dishwasher, taking out the trash, making dinner. Tell them that you’re grateful for them and all they’re doing. Over time, this builds deeper trust and connection between you.
Get counseling.
Sometimes couples face bigger struggles when welcoming a new baby into their home. Even after trying to communicate and work out differences, having a licensed therapist or professional counselor to help you navigate the changes in your relationship can be very helpful. This person is skilled in equipping couples with effective ways to combat issues that arise during this time of your life. It’s okay to ask for help!
If you are planning to grow your family this year, our team at Household Staffing can help you find the person to work in your home to alleviate the transition! Whether it’s a newborn care nanny that works temporarily in your home, a long-term live-in nanny or housekeeper, a personal assistant, a private chef, or someone else – we place experienced employees in homes around the country. Call us today to learn more!
