Once you have kids, there’s no denying that life changes. Suddenly, everything you do comes with extra considerations regarding how it will affect your little ones and your relationship with your partner.
Then, if you decide to grow your family, there’s the added challenge of how to approach the decision with your current children. Family planning (FP) includes a lot of factors, but these FP mom hacks(FPMomHacks) give you the relationship advice you need to navigate the exciting journey ahead.
Start With Self-Care and Self-Awareness
You know how people say, “You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others.” (It’s kind of like putting on your oxygen mask before helping the kids with theirs.)
When you actually think about it, it makes perfect sense. If you’re exhausted and frustrated, no matter the reason, these emotions often manifest in negative ways. You might lose patience with your kids or partner, shout more, forget things, etc.
However, understanding that these feelings are affecting your actions is the first step. It’s important to know your needs before you have kids. Then, you can prioritize time for self-care so you can have better self-control during various encounters with your family.
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Relationship Advice to Help Connect With Your Children and Partner
Luckily, you don’t have to undergo some massive transformation to maintain a strong connection with your growing family. But you do need a few FP mom hacks to help keep things running smoothly.
1. Daily Check-Ins
Getting ready for a new baby comes with a lot of prep, from decorating the nursery to endless doctor appointments. Plus, let’s face it, you don’t always have a ton of energy to play with the kids or be intimate with your partner.
Commit to spending about five minutes each night before bed connecting with your children. Put the phone away and fully focus on them, asking them how they feel and listening with your whole self. Repeat this process with your partner before you go to sleep.
2. Outsource When Possible
There’s no shame in having groceries delivered or hiring someone to clean the house. If you can work these things into the budget, do it guilt-free, because they are game changers.
When you can spend less time on these tasks, you have more energy and time to devote to other things. For example, you can spend more time playing with your kids, have a family movie night, or maybe even go on a date night with your partner.
3. Allow Yourself to Waste Some Time
Sometimes, as a busy mom, you simply want a few minutes where you don’t need to do or think about anything. However, with so many things on your plate, you feel guilty watching a TikTok video or zoning out to your favorite HGTV show for 30 minutes.
Put it in the schedule. Pencil in 30 minutes a day for solo time to do whatever you please, uninterrupted. Talk with your partner and kids about it so everyone understands this is your special time.
After your break, plan something fun with your kids, like playing a board game together. They’ll be more inclined to honor your alone time if they know they get your full attention afterward.
Stay Connected to Your Kids and Partner as Your Family Grows
Nobody said parenthood was easy, and adding more kids into the mix often brings more challenges. But these practical FP mom hacks offer a strong foundation for maintaining a positive relationship with your family as it expands. Sure, you’ll have plenty of chaos and curveballs in your future; that’s life. But when you face the craziness together, you can handle anything that comes your way.
