When you were first married, spending time together was your greatest joy. And you paid each other loads of attention. But just a few years later, that’s probably all changed.
Neglecting each other is the most common mistake married couples make. Until suddenly the connection between you is gone.
Men usually get that way by over-prioritising their work and social life. Some women do the same, of course, but much more often, women really start neglecting their husband once the children arrive.
Relaxing, talking and being affectionate together is just as important as everything else that you do. You fell in love because you spent time together. You’ll fall out again if you stop.
In fact, more women wreck their marriages by putting their children ahead of their husband than any other way. It’s understandable, because child-rearing’s very demanding. And nowadays we somehow feel guilty if we’re not heavily involved with our children.
But all those hours don’t really help that much. Because what children really need is to see their parents being happy together. That’s what inspires them to learn the skills that they will need to have good relationships of their own.
What else can you do?
- Take care of yourself, and don’t try to do too much. Eat well, exercise, and do just about anything you enjoy! From five minutes with your feet up to an aerobic workout.
- And spend time with your husband! Especially being intimate together. Because when the kids go to bed, your husband still wants to see a hint of that lovely wild girlfriend he fell in love with.
- Like when did you last really kiss? How often do you hold hands? Really laugh together? Express your commitment to each other? Talk about what you like doing in bed?
- Good couples protect their emotional lives from the demands of work and family. And they find ways to talk together without the children. Because children don’t only prevent you from making love.
- They wreck the intimate chatter that’s crucial to a marriage. So don’t let your children have first call on you, especially when you’re talking together. Kids do get that, I promise.
- Modern working lives also mean that you’re exhausted when you get together again in the evening, and can find yourselves clashing all evening.
- So the moment you’re both home, sit down and spend a few minutes together over a small snack. That sends your body the message that it’s time to wind-down.
- Tell the kids to stay out of the way, make small talk, or just sit close and enjoy one another’s company. Soon you’ll be more relaxed and back in tune with each other.
- And do prioritise your love life together. Act on even the most fleeting impulses, and make sure you create opportunities to be passionate. Because figuring out how to be more intimate together is the first step towards a much happier life for you both.
