When you become a parent, your priorities are often focused on your children. However, when it comes to the relationship with your significant other, it’s important not to forget about them and their needs. Not only that but your needs are also something that need to be considered.
It’s easy to drop the ball when it comes to strengthening and maintaining the relationship you have with your other half when you become parents. With that being said, here are some helpful tips to help strengthen your relationship as parents this year.
Stay calm in an argument
First and foremost, try to stay calm when it comes to arguments. There’s nothing worse than getting hot-headed and therefore saying something in the heat of the moment. Whether you meant it or not, it still came out of your mouth!
Try to remain level-headed when it comes to an argument with your partner. Understand where some of the venting or frustrations might be coming from and take the time to listen to your partner. Hopefully, they’ll give you the same attention and approach back.
Avoid stonewalling conversations
What is stonewalling and how to get rid of it? Stonewalling is where one partner gives up on the argument and checks out. They don’t listen to anything the other partner is saying and it often feels like they’re talking to a stone wall as a result.
This isn’t the best outcome to have in an argument because it can leave things feeling tense and even more strained. Avoid stonewalling conversations and instead, end the conversation to take some time apart. It’s better than simply switching off and becoming unresponsive to your loved one.
Dedicate time together just the two of you
Time together – just the two of you – is a rarity that you want to enforce. It’s something that you want to be mindful of and make time for whenever you can. Of course, time and free time in general is somewhat of a fleeting occurrence when it comes to being parents.
However, there are always opportunities that can be made into time for just the two of you. Whether it’s late at night when the kids have gone to bed, or leaving the grandparents with the children while you go away for the weekend.
Work as a team
Teamwork makes the dream work as the saying goes and that couldn’t be more truthful when it comes to parenthood. It’s important that you’re communicating actively and that you’re managing your time so that each individual is contributing equally to the family unit.
Check-in with your partner, see what percentage they’re operating at, and help pick up the remaining energy so that your partner feels seen and supported.
Accept your partner’s flaws
Your partner’s flaws are something that you might not be able to fix. Everyone has flaws and while some are acceptable, some may be something that you simply have to accept and live with.
Strengthening your relationship as parents is important for the sake of your children. Use these tips to make sure that’s the case for your relationship.
