Building Couple Time Blog

A Mother's Day Story:

The New Dad, an Infant Car Seat, and a Sitz Bath

I was hurrying out of the hospital to get to my car so I could pick up my mom after her surgery. As I was walking, I couldn’t help but notice this new dad carrying an infant car seat in one hand, and a sitz bath wrapped in clea...

Building Couple Time Tip: 

Help My Child Won't Go To Sleep! 

Are you a couple with a baby or young child and are dying to get some sleep, but your child won’t get on the same page?

I remember when my kids were young and how grateful I was when we could all get a good night's sleep.  

Being a c...

Building Couple Time Tip: 

New Parents:  Ease Up on Unrealistic Expectations! 

It’s very common for you to continue to expect you should forge ahead with your new families, not appreciating the increase in unexpected changes, child care, couple care, fatigue, increased work load, chores, etc.

Y...

Building Couple Time Tip: 

One Vital Meeting to Save Your Job and Your Marriage 

What if your job depended on one vital meeting a week that you must attend or you’ll lose your job!  You would probably prioritize that meeting above everything else.  No excuses! 

Well, it’s no different with your...

Building Couple Time Tip: 

Family Play Date:  Feel the love and laughter with your entire family! 

Yes, it’s important to carve out couple time and me time, so that your young children have parents who are happy and filled up.  Trust me, your children feel your love.  This tip is about how to ha...

Building Couple Time Tip:

“How to Save your Marriage in One Step” 

In this great blog post by my colleague and friend, Kim Bowen, LPC, founder of The Marriage Place, she shares how focusing on the positive in your marriage for 90 days can transform your marriage.

Now for you couples with babies...

Building Couple Time Tip: 

5 Free Marriage Tips for New Parents

Tip #1: Acknowledge that the first 6 months to a year after baby

involves major adjustments of time and energy for everyone. Both of you are probably trying really hard to adjust to your new roles as parents. Women’s necessary bon...

Building Couple Time Tip:

Marriage Advice | Learning to Fight Fair 

The research points out that conflict goes up and marital satisfaction goes down after the first child comes along. 

This tip aims to help you avoid being one of those statistics. 

Sure there’s a lot more going on when you go...

Couples who endure stressful times in their relationships and come out on the other side truly understand when the couple team really counts. How do couples keep together during stressful times? The concept “team” comes to mind. One of my mentor’s, Peter Pearson, Ph.D. at the Couples Institute says ...

Building Couple Time Tip: 

The Laundry System Metaphor

When I think of organizing the lives of new parents with young children, I think of my laundry system.

I remember when our kids came along. My husband and I had been together for 8 years. I was amazed how much laundry accumulates when you h...