Happy parents, happy kids: What can I do to strengthen my romantic relationship?

If you’re like most new parents, then you probably focus most of your energy and attention towards your new baby, as you should, but what about your relationship with your partner?

Between the baby’s naps, your post-baby body, and the exhaustion of taking care of a newborn, be careful, you could be neglecting your relationship with your partner! Numerous studies show that new parents are the most uniformly dissatisfied group when it comes to marital happiness. But anyone who’s had her party of two crashed by a magical (but exceptionally demanding) third wheel doesn’t need to read the research, since she is probably going through it.

If this is your case, don’t worry! It is totally normal; most couples that have a new baby have been through this stage. The important thing is to recognize that you may need to put in a bit more effort in your relationship. With this in mind, here are some tips on how to keep it going:

Recognize that this is hard for both of you

It’s normal to feel like you’re doing more work than your partner, but try to remember that both of you have been through a mayor life change. Your experiences may seem different, but they are still equally important! Understanding and acknowledging one another will help you be more considerate.

Have small romantic gestures

You don’t need to pull out the most romantic date ever to rekindle your relationship; sometimes the smallest gestures are the most memorable. For example, if you always held hands while walking, until the stroller got in the way, try out some new ways of linking arms while pushing it together. You can also try showing him or her that you still care by finding new things to compliment each other on. Just insert a few of these simple, sweet gestures into your daily routine, and it will bring you closer together.

Go beyond date night

Researches have shown that engaging in a new experience with your partner will make you feel more connected to each other. Instead of going out to the same old restaurant, try something new you both like. Keep the “baby talk” to a minimum; you can even set a baby rule “Let’s limit the baby talk to 20 minutes”. Remember this night is for you guys, so enjoy it!

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Have some ME time

Remember not to loose yourself in the process. Yes, your partner and your baby are important, but having some ME time every once in a while could be refreshing for everyone. This also goes for your partner, let him or her have some ME time as well, since you both probably need it.

Let us know what you think about these tips and what are some of the things you do to re-connect with your partner!

For more tips and ideas, visit these sites:

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/women-s-mental-health-matters/201510/5-ways-keep-your-relationship-strong-after-having-baby
• http://www.parents.com/parenting/relationships/staying-close/keeping-romance-alive-once-baby-arrives/
• http://www.parents.com/parenting/relationships/staying-close/marriage-after-baby/
• https://www.care.com/c/stories/5060/5-ways-to-keep-your-relationship-strong-af/