Are Your Kids Ruining Your Marriage?

Marriage, kids, work, chores, friends, projects, in-laws, hobbies… There’s always something competing for our time and attention – it’s just the way things are for many people across the world. We’ve got all of these people in our lives, all of these other things that depend on us, all of these things that beg for our focus and energy…

How are we possibly supposed to choose? Let’s even consider all of those “other” things – work, hobbies, friends, the stuff outside of your home life – as extra here.

How do you make your priorities just at home?

The most common and popular answer to this question is, and has been for a long time: put the children first!

Well, we’re here to say that the conventional wisdom is wrong… You should be putting your spouse first every single time.

You might be thinking, “But what about the children?!?!”

Stick with us for a moment – there’s a reason behind this approach. First, spending time together ALONE with your spouse is absolutely critical for the health of your marriage. If you aren’t taking time to be together as man and woman, the romantic connection you share will start to crumble. You have to actively maintain your relationship – especially when kids, jobs, etc. are all vying for your attention.

Are your kids hurting your marriage?
Are your kids hurting your marriage?

Now, we’re not asking you to ignore your children here. They still need your love and support, but it’s important to understand that your happy marriage as parents provides more stability and information for the young ones than you know! They see how you behave together, and it will become the template for the way they approach future relationships. If they see you and your spouse supporting each other, being kind and open, making time for each other, and being actively concerned with each other’s happiness – they will carry this with them into their relationships later in life!

It’s also important to accept that our kids, especially as they get a little older, are more independent than we give them credit for. We don’t have to wait on them hand and foot all the time – especially if it’s having an adverse affect on the amount of time we get to spend with our spouses. Again, this isn’t to say that they don’t need your help – just that as a parent, it can be all too easy to obsess about what the kids are doing at every moment, and forget all about you’re doing to keep your marriage strong.

Not only do your kids learn about relationships from the example you set, they also reflect – in their own moods and behaviors – the kind of environment they live in. If you put a great deal of energy into their wellbeing, but then fight with your spouse later (or just feel tense, sad, etc. because you and your spouse aren’t actively maintaining a happy relationship), this will affect the kids in ways you may not even notice.

They are hyper-aware of your moods and feelings, and that means that the happier you are in your marriage, the more satisfied you are with your life in a general way, the more you radiate that happiness and positivity to them. The same is true for marital troubles, even if you try to hide them away from your kids. They will pick up on tension, negativity, anger, and hurt. Even if they don’t say anything to you about it, they notice. This subtle element of raising kids is often overlooked.

Looking at this issue from the opposite direction, you can actually damage your marriage if you consistently prioritize your kids over your spouse. We’ve seen it happen time and time again – where raising children becomes the primary focus of one or both parents, and by the time they grow up and move out… The parents find that they’ve got an empty house and a stranger for a spouse.

Even before something that serious happens, the little, daily decisions to prioritize kids and NOT prioritize your spouse are constantly eroding the strength of your marriage.

Is this happening to you? You can change your priorities immediately and start strengthening your marriage today!

For more advice on how to strengthen your marriage, check out the StrongMarriageNow System today!
[i4w_m_vsl_promo]
Dr. Dana Fillmore and Amy Barnhart, co-Founders, StrongMarriageNow.com

Related Posts

Dispelling Marriage Myths

Every relationship is a little bit different – and because of that, there aren’t really “universal truths” that apply to each and every couple. There are, however, pervasive myths that can lead couples to make bad decisions or incorrect assumptions. We’re here to set the record straight! Don’t believe these myths, or let them make […]

Sure Fire Ways to Fall Back In Love With Your Spouse – Part 2

In our last post, we dug into 10 tips for rekindling the spark of your marriage. These ideas can help you adjust your perspective, see the best in each other, and spend the quality time that is essential for a healthy, happy relationship. Today, let’s dive into 10 more. The more you can incorporate things […]

Sure Fire Ways to Fall Back In Love With Your Spouse – Part 1

Over time, couples can drift apart if they aren’t actively working on their relationship. Feeling “out of love” can happen to us all, but fortunately, you can get things back on track! If you’re feeling disconnected, use these tips to rekindle the spark in your marriage. Be patient, and let these ideas bring you closer […]

A Big Lesson From Celebrity Affairs

When you think about high profile couples, things like “stability” and “longevity” don’t often jump to mind. Instead, we see the tabloid headlines, the scandals, and all of the ups and downs that can come along with fame and fortune. Now, there are a few important things to note here. First, the relationship problems so […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 comments

rayne 8 years ago

My husband and I were married in June 2014 after five years of dating. He insists that he wants to start a family with me, despite him being much older and having three grown children. I was okay with this at first, but now I am having seconds thoughts. What should I do?

rayne 8 years ago

My husband and I were married in June 2014 after five years of dating. He insists that he wants to start a family with me, despite him being much older and having three grown children. I was okay with this at first, but now I am having seconds thoughts. What should I do?

JLD 8 years ago

I am really glad we have our kids, but it feels like such a treat to have it quiet in the house, and to do so much less laundry and cleaning up and cooking. And the time with my husband alone is a dream! This has not happened often in the past because we homeschool, and I tell you, I am relishing it. He is often away for work, but he has been home for 48 hours, and it was so appreciated. He leaves again in a few hours, but will be home for the weekend.

JLD 8 years ago

I am really glad we have our kids, but it feels like such a treat to have it quiet in the house, and to do so much less laundry and cleaning up and cooking. And the time with my husband alone is a dream! This has not happened often in the past because we homeschool, and I tell you, I am relishing it. He is often away for work, but he has been home for 48 hours, and it was so appreciated. He leaves again in a few hours, but will be home for the weekend.

Mike_Olsen_SMN 8 years ago

Hi Rayne, you need to voice your concerns with your husband. He may be able to put them to rest, or have concerns of his own.

Mike_Olsen_SMN 8 years ago

Hi Rayne, you need to voice your concerns with your husband. He may be able to put them to rest, or have concerns of his own.

Mike_Olsen_SMN 8 years ago

Hi JLD, keeping the marriage together through parenting is one of the hardest things we do. I'm glad you are now able to spent that time with your husband.

Mike_Olsen_SMN 8 years ago

Hi JLD, keeping the marriage together through parenting is one of the hardest things we do. I'm glad you are now able to spent that time with your husband.

Dawn 8 years ago

My problem is an older child who is married and has a child of her own, and still wants "daddy to take care of her . Gets upset when her Dad and I spend time together.

Dawn 8 years ago

My problem is an older child who is married and has a child of her own, and still wants "daddy to take care of her . Gets upset when her Dad and I spend time together.