Which Season of Parenthood is HARDEST on Your Marriage (and How Can You Overcome It)?

Katherine Stahl married her husband and had children very quickly thereafter, so she knows a thing or two about the strain that having a baby and toddler–at the same time–places on your marriage. That is precisely why she–and many other parents–agree that this is season of parenthood is hardest on a marriage. And, Stahl offers the following reasons why:

“1. No one gets a break; so, no one’s needs are being met.
2. Your husband becomes third in line for your attention.

3. The novelty of parenthood is gone.

4. Babies are hard; babies plus toddlers are just sanity killers.

5. Sex becomes a distant memory.

6. Babysitters are harder to come by.”  

(Click HERE for the rest of Stahl’s article.)

Whew! I think she hit the nail of the head, don’t you? As a mom of four, I totally get this. And, my youngest is two, so we are just now leaving the baby/toddler phase with our two youngest, and honestly, I’m singing a silent “Hallelujah” over here.

Please don’t judge me.

But, what Stahl shared is so true. When we have a baby and a toddler, it’s just bonkers. As mothers, we are nursing or preparing bottles nearly round the clock. We’re trying to keep our toddlers out of the toilet, pantry, dog poop–you name it. We need 32 arms to do everything we need to do. And, our husbands do too. It’s just crazy.

So, how do we overcome this beautiful but difficult season? How to we keep our marriage strong when we utterly have nothing left to give emotionally and otherwise? Here are some practical tips…