The going has gotten tough.

In full transparency, we recorded this episode before the COVID-19 pandemic was a concern here in the U.S., but it certainly feels timely.

Using effective communication strategies, supporting one another, and maintaining your rituals of connection are much easier when life is “normal.” Add some additional stressors (think: kids, a demanding job, or quarantine) and your skills are sure to be tested.

When things around you are hard, it becomes even more important to remain a team. You’re in this together and could both use support and compassion.

There are a few things to be exceptionally mindful of when trying to stay a team when the going gets tough:

• Are you really listening to your partner?

• Are you being open to their influence?

• Are you honoring your individual needs with rest, recharge, and self-care (to the extent possible)?

• Are you honoring the needs of your relationship with time to talk, rituals of connection, and patience?

• Are you problem solving and making decisions jointly?

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about why it becomes harder to remain a team when external stressors are high, the benefits of staying connected throughout these times, and practical strategies for making it happen.

If you are currently or planning to become a parent, this week’s episode is for you. The transition to parenthood is a significant milestone for many reasons. It’s an exciting and life-changing time for you and your family, which can also lend itself to struggles like postpartum depression or anxiety and relationship issues.

When relationship issues go unresolved after the birth of a child, they can snowball. We often see couples who identify the shift in their relationship began 5-10 years ago, which happens to coincide with the birth of their first or second child. How this transition is navigated can have a significant impact on the future of your own wellness and the health of your relationship.

One of the ways to set a new parent up for the best possible outcome is through excellent partner support. Often, Mom (or the primary caregiver) shoulders the bulk of the childcare responsibilities, especially if they’re breastfeeding. This can leave their partner unsure of what to do to be helpful, feel like they don’t have a role, or even feel like they’re not able to take care of the baby as well as their partner. This type of dynamic can lead to disconnection and resentment.

In this episode, we have a special guest, Dr. Danielle Jenkins, who is a psychologist and maternal mental health expert and has been working with families for over 20 years. We’re talking about the lows and highs of the transition to parenthood, specific strategies for helping the transition go smoothly, and how to move forward as a couple and repair from a tough transition years later.