Being a parent is amazing, but it’s tough. Life changes with kids, and each stage of parenting brings new challenges. There’s a lot to balance. Let’s be real: kids affect your marriage.

Here Are a Few Common Ways and What to Do About It:

1. Self-care often takes a backseat for parents.

It can be hard to carve out alone time, but you need it, and so does your marriage.

2. You may disagree about parenting styles.

Couples talk about if they want to have kids, how many, and when. But they don’t talk about how to parent. And that can lead to frustration.

3. Date night can get put on the back burner.

Before kids, there may have been elaborate date nights, expensive dinners, flowers, and gifts. Now, you don’t feel like there’s time to think about dating. And what do you do with the kids?

4. Your sex life may change.

Early on in parenting, your sex life often takes a backseat because babies make life interesting. Sex can become just another item on the to-do list, and that’s no fun.

5. Marriage satisfaction may decrease.

Kids and all the issues I mentioned above can affect your marriage by adding stress to your marriage.

Be intentional about having a healthy marriage, because it’s the best thing for you and your kids.