By Rie, guest blogger
Research shows marriages suffer after having kids. Awesome!
Actually I didn’t need “research” to tell me this. Because for every married person I know, I know one other divorced person. Those are pretty depressing odds against marriage.
For your convenience, I’ve included affiliate links. Read my Disclaimer to learn more.
Growing up, I don’t remember seeing examples of amazing marriages like the ones presented on TV. I’m not judging here. I’m just stating what I see. Marriage is a challenge. Add in kids and all of a sudden no one has the time or energy to devote to their mate. It makes sense.
What research shows
To make this post even more depressing, research also shows that there’s a strong correlation with the satisfaction you feel towards your spouse and your overall life satisfaction. Geez! Don’t grab for the sharp objects near you just yet!
Relationships are crucial to all of our lives. We all want to have healthy, happy relationships with others. And, few of us have the natural tools or really strong role models to make this materialize. We sort of think relationships should just “happen.” But, they take effort.
Relationship counselor and trained psychologist, Jayson Gaddis, and his beautiful wife discuss this very topic in their 36-minute podcast, Marriage after Kids, Are Your Doomed? In this podcast you hear both the male and female perspective on their marriage after their first and second child. And, they offer some great tips for keeping your marriage going strong no matter how many rugrats you got running around.
Marriage resources
1. Take a listen to this podcast and let me know your thoughts.
2. Check out this great book about how to build a true partnership after the kiddos arrive: How Not to Hate Your Husband by Jancee Dunn.
3. For more relationship advice, follow this board on Pinterest.
How do you keep your marriage strong? Comment below or on Facebook at MothersRest.
About the guest blogger, editor’s note:
My friend and single momma, Rie, is busy raising a strong kiddo and working to figure out life after forty.
Photo credit: Anete Lusina from Unsplash.com