Please leave us a review! In this episode, we discuss the hardest part of being in a relationship with a newborn around. As always please head over to our Instagram @livingthelifeofmom to have your say, tell us your stories and how you survived. We hope you enjoy our 2nd episode. We had a lot of fun making this. We also hope that we help someone out there, who may be suffering alone. We encourage you to talk to your partner or spouse about how you are feeling as the reality is that they are most likely feeling the same way. We thank you for listening to the podcast and we look forward to hering from you. Here are our show notes incase you want the links to the websites we mentioned. Research by the Centre for Policy Studies shows that more than half of cohabiting couples split up within five years of the birth of a child, while only a quarter of those who marry after the birth of a child have separated within five years, and only eight per cent of married couples have parted.11 Feb 2002

https://www.telegraph.co.uk › uknews

Unmarried couples more likely to split after birth of child - Telegraph-------Romantic Relationships Take a Dive After Baby Arrives (According to Research)

New parents face a decline in sex and intimacy. They struggle with how to fairly divide household responsibilities and the needs of the baby. With little time for romance and connection, couples often get caught up “keeping score.”

https://www.gottman.com/blog/romantic-relationships-take-a-dive-after-baby-arrives-according-to-research/

This is a fab article that is an easy read filled with tips and advise on how to get through the stress of brining a new born home together as a team.

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Intimacy Is Critical To A Happy Partnership

Big changes comes to your intimacy and sexual satisfaction. When you bring your first bundle of joy home.  The spontaneous passion that might have existed between you both before, may not be feasible or realistic anymore. You’re both tired; by the time the little one falls asleep, both of you are often so tired that “going to bed” means falling asleep. Because of this, it becomes all the more important to appreciate the little moments that the two of you do have.  Being mindful and intentional about squeezing in a hug or a kiss before work may not be the same as spending an evening together, but the act (and the sentiment behind it) can go a long way between date nights. Flirtatious text messages or a written note slipped into a briefcase before work can help to inspire and retain some of the same playfulness that it can be so easy to lose.

That being said, date nights should be prioritized.  The social pressure on new parents to display or demonstrate their competency or investment in their children can often give rise to the idea that sacrificing everything for one’s children is a good thing, when in fact, this poses a number of threats to our own mental health as parents.  It may feel forced or ritualistic or even like another obligation on the long list of things to do, but getting into the habit of regularly allocating one evening or afternoon or even one morning every 2-3 weeks or even a month as time exclusively for you and your significant other can not only help prioritize and maintain romance and intimacy in your relationship, but can give the two of you something to look forward to.

https://www.bergencounselingcenter.com/articles/relationship-problems-after-baby/

--------At what moments do you feel closest to your partner?

When do you feel most alone or segregated from your partner?

Is it different when breast feeding or formula fed?

We would love to get a working momma perspective on this. If any one is willing to join us on the podcast send me a hands up 🤗---------