In this episode, I dive into a topic that many of us navigate but sometimes hesitate to discuss openly: maintaining a fulfilling marriage after having kids. Life gets hectic, and while we do our best to keep the spark alive, sometimes calling in reinforcements can make all the difference. Let’s explore when it might be time to reach out for professional help and how to go about it.

Why Marriage Gets Tough After Kids

Isn't it something how life changes dramatically after kids? The dynamic between you and your partner shifts, and suddenly, those spare moments to enjoy each other feel far away. Responsibilities pile up, and our time is devoured by logistics rather than love notes. If you find yourself nodding along, you're not alone. Many couples experience communication breakdowns, unmet expectations, and a dwindling connection. It's all too common for intimacy to take a back seat as exhaustion levels rise and financial stress surfaces.

Recognizing When It's Time for Help

Let...

Life often feels like a balancing act between marriage, motherhood, and self-care. If you're navigating these demanding roles and sometimes feel like you and your partner are drifting apart amidst the daily hustle, you're not alone. In this episode, we explore some insights shared from a recent heartfelt conversation with Sarah Parise, a Wellness Coach for Moms, and how these can transform our perspective on maintaining a fulfilling relationship.

Rediscovering Connection

One of the standout themes was the remarkable power of spending quality, uninterrupted time with your partner. When life is pulling you in a million directions, it's easy to default to autopilot as parents and partners. However, carving out time, whether for an evening out or a weekend getaway, is essential. It’s about breaking the routine and stepping away from responsibilities to enjoy each other’s company without distractions. Even if a long getaway is unattainable, short outings or even a simple lunch date w...

Maintaining the spark in your marriage can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, especially when you're knee-deep in tackling the more challenging aspects of your relationship. Much like the chaos of spring cleaning, where things seem messier before they become tidy, the process of working on your marriage can feel overwhelming. Yet, amidst this occasionally tense journey, it’s crucial to remember the importance of fun and connection.

Just as with our closest friendships, fun and camaraderie form the bedrock of a strong marriage. Think of your marriage as a friendship with added layers of romance and intimacy. Rediscovering activities you both enjoy—laughing at inside jokes, supporting each other during difficult times, or simply spending time together—can help reinforce this foundational bond.

Here’s the thing: friendships help smooth over conflict. When we maintain a friendly connection, we navigate disagreements more gracefully, avoiding the trap of villainizing each other. I...

Valentine's Day can often stir up a mix of emotions—anticipation, excitement, and sometimes even disappointment. But what if you could ensure that this year is your best one yet? As a marriage coach, I've got some tips to help you navigate this day with ease and joy, whether or not you've had the best experiences in the past.

Why Valentine's Day Can Be Frustrating

Everywhere you turn—whether it's a giant retail store, Instagram ad, or school reminder—you're faced with Valentine's Day hype. It's so easy to get caught up in the stress of planning something perfect, especially if you're already juggling parenthood and a busy life. And let's be real; sometimes it's a lot to ask, right after the holiday period, when all we want is a little breather.

Understanding the Root of Disappointment

We often assume our partners should know what we want without having communicated it. It’s like expecting them to be mind readers, leading to inevitable disappointment when things don’t go as we ...

Empowering Our Daughters: A Journey into Womanhood

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As a parent, there are countless dreams and aspirations we hold for our children, particularly our daughters. We want them to grow into empowered, confident women who can navigate the complexities of life with grace and strength. Yet, when it comes to the transition from girlhood to womanhood, many of us find ourselves in uncharted territory, unsure of how to properly guide them. But as we uncover more about our own journeys, we realize that this transition is not just about physical changes—it's about empowering them with knowledge and self-awareness. In this episode, I was joined by Tori Milner, Women's Empowerment Coach and Teen Mentor and Menstrual Cycle Guide.

The Lost Art of Womanhood

Growing up, many of us were left in the dark regarding the true nature and strength of womanhood. This often meant relying on misinformed peers and outdated notions instead of truly understanding our cycles and bodies. It's time we s...

Rediscover the Joy of Intimacy: Transforming Your Marital Sex Life

In this episode, we're diving into a topic many find challenging yet significant—how to revitalize your sex life after entering marriage and motherhood. Our guest expert, Susan Bratton, breaks down some crucial insights that can help transform "I have to" into "I get to" when it comes to intimacy with your partner. Let's delve into how you can reignite that spark in your relationship!

Understanding Your Unique Sexual Needs

First things first, it's vital to recognize that feeling disconnected from your sex life doesn't mean something is wrong with you. Many women fall into the pattern of viewing sex as a chore rather than a source of pleasure. Factors such as hormonal changes, societal pressures, and lack of real sexual education contribute to this mindset. But here's the good news: understanding and embracing your unique sexual operating system can change everything.

It's Not About Meeting Obligations

Sometimes, th...

In this episode, I am joined by Mitch Blackford, a coach specializing in helping moms navigate the complex transition of motherhood and marriage, to talk about how you can go from roommate to romance.

Understanding the Challenges of Motherhood

Motherhood undeniably transforms a woman's life, presenting unique challenges that often lead to feelings of disconnection and overwhelm. Mitch shared her personal journey, highlighting how transitioning from woman to mom can strain a marriage. This transition often leaves women feeling "touched out" and emotionally drained, leading many to place their intimate relationships on the back burner.

The Importance of Intimacy

One of the primary discussions revolved around the critical topic of intimacy — and how motherhood can often make it seem like a distant concept. Mitch emphasized the commonality of feeling emotionally and physically exhausted, which can cause women to shy away from intimate connections, even though it's a vital part of ...

Sleep is the one thing we're told we're gonna lose out on as parents. Too bad babies don't come out knowing how to sleep through the night already right?

Sleep deprivation can really mess with you. You feel all out of sorts, you don't know what day it is, you don't remember when you last showered, and you're also a lot less patient and lot more snippy.

When you're lacking sleep, you get used to being some level of tired. You get so used to it that you don't even realize how much it's affecting you - especially in your relationship. Your relationship with yourself, with your partner and with your kids.

In this week's episode of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast, I interviewed Danielle Ubhaus to talk all about bedtime routines!

Danielle is a mom of 4 and Children’s Sleep Coach. She helps families who are exhausted and ready for a sleep transformation so they can be the best version of themselves for their children, partners, families and friends. She offers a client-led approach...

Communication can help you build your marriage up to be connected, strong, and resilient, but only when you've learned how to communicate with the purpose of connection and building intimacy through communication.

Without intimacy, communication can feel pretty lonely in a relationship.

When all you talk about is logistics and responsibility, communication can feel empty and transactional.

In this week's episode of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast, I share:

- what it means to communicate to connect
- two questions my husband and I asked each other to nurture our connection

Listen here and remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share it if you loved this episode! 💗

For more resources on how to have a happy and successful marriage, head on over to www.michellepurta.com and subscribe!

If you love the episode, remember to subscribe, leave a review and share it!

Majority of couples who become parents notice their relationship starts to get stale. It gets to the point where their connection seems to be mostly centered around responsibilities like the home or the kids.

Have you ever stopped to reflect on whether you're being a partner or a roommate in your marriage?

In this week's episode of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast, I share:

• what makes a good roommate
• what makes a good partner
• what the main difference is between being a partner and a co-parenting roommate