Let's face it, as much as we love our children, they are very needy individuals. Sometimes it feels we are on-call more than the convenience store 7-11, but 24/7. It is easy to get lost in the demands of parenthood. Even easier to forget and neglect the needs of the marriage relationship.
If you feel you don't have time for your spouse (because you are too exhausted from work and children), then here are some suggestions from Dr. Doherty's book:
- Your marriage is the foundation of your family and the cornerstone of your children's security.
- In order to have a balance between your marriage and your children, you need to lean towards your marriage.
- You need time to hang out as a family.
- You need time to hang out as a couple.
- Fixed bedtimes for your children allow for alone time as a couple.
- Don't let your children interrupt your conversations.
- Limit the time you devote to help with homework.
- Establish a private time for yourselves as a couple.
- Establish a private space. Teach your children to respect closed doors.
- Go on regular dates together.
- Get away for an occasional weekend together without children.
- Let your children know you are setting limits on your attention and availability for them because you love your spouse and want to keep that relationship strong.
When you do find that time together, make sure you are truly listening to each other. "One of the most charitable demonstrations in marriage is to truly focus on your spouse and listen to him or her—really listen—regardless of what we want to say. Being heard is akin to being loved; in fact, being listened to is one of the highest forms of respect and validation. By listening, we are saying to our spouse, 'You matter to me, I love you, and what you have to say is important.'" (Mark Ogletree, "Speak, Listen, & Love," Ensign, Feb 2014)