Balancing marriage and parenting can be difficult, especially if you are feeling the demands of both. Nurturing 1 and neglecting the other, or neglecting both because you cannot balance the 2, can be damaging to all parties involved. If you are looking for positive ways to balance marriage and parenting, consider the following list of steps.
1. Sit down with your spouse and explain your desire to create a better parenting-marriage balance. Ask your spouse to help you come up with ideas. This way your spouse can be active in the bonding of your children. Your spouse can also help pick activities, which will help take the burden off you directly.
2. Be proactive about creating balance between your spouse and children. Do this by scheduling time with them and adding it to your calendar. Try to schedule actual events, activities and dates. This way you are committing yourself.
3. Organize your day so that you have time for your children and your spouse. Your day may seem saturated with taking care of your children, but schedule their bedtimes at a reasonable time so that you and your spouse can connect. Take that time to talk about your days.
4. Make time for children if you want to create balance. Ensure that you take this opportunity to do something with them or take them somewhere. Spending time alone with your children will afford you a bonding opportunity. This is something both you and your spouse should take the time to do.
5. Schedule the time to spend with your spouse. Try and do this at least once a week. This can be as simple as a movie night at home once the children are in bed. Once a month, if you have the finances, go out on a date to a restaurant or for coffee and dessert.
6. Plan family time so that you can be with both your spouse and children. This time is not the regular time that you are together, but an organized event, activity or day out. Try not to focus just on your spouse or children, but share your attention with both. This way you, your children and your spouse can all benefit by spending family time together.
7. Find time just for you. This will allow you the opportunity to recharge. You cannot give yourself fully to your children and spouse if you have no energy. Giving yourself an opportunity to recharge will also give your spouse an opportunity to have time alone with the children. Ideas for quick boosts of energy include getting your hair done, getting a massage or getting together with friends.
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