As Phillip and I navigate the complexities of parenting young adult children, we’ve found that our roles as parents have shifted but remain just as demanding.
We’ve learned that maintaining a strong connection as a couple is essential for both our marriage and our ability to parent effectively.
Here are some ways we’ve kept our relationship a priority, even as we balance the evolving responsibilities of raising older children.
Schedule Time Together
Life with teenagers or adult children can involve navigating busy schedules, school activities, and evolving responsibilities.
However, just as you might schedule a parent-teacher meeting or a family gathering, prioritize quality time with your spouse.
It doesn’t need to be elaborate—what matters is consistency and focus on each other.
Set Boundaries
Teenagers and adult children can sometimes blur the lines between needing parental guidance and asserting their independence.
It’s essential to set boundaries, both for them and for yourself, ensuring your marriage has dedicated time.
Encourage your children to respect your couple-time and understand that a healthy marriage is a part of family harmony.
Communicate Beyond Parenting
When life revolves around the needs of your children, it’s easy for every conversation to be about them.
While it’s important to discuss your children’s needs, make a conscious effort to talk about other aspects of your life—your personal dreams, your relationship, and your future together as a couple.
Revisit shared goals or dreams you may have set earlier in your relationship and check in on where you stand as a team.
Create Space for Intimacy
Emotional and physical intimacy can sometimes take a hit during the demanding years of parenting.
However, carving out space for intimacy, in whatever form feels natural to you and your partner, is key to keeping your connection strong.
Small gestures, like a thoughtful text during the day or a meaningful touch, can make a significant difference.
Embrace the Shift in Parenting
As your children grow older, your role as a parent changes.
This stage of life can be an opportunity to reconnect with your spouse in ways that weren’t possible when your kids were younger.
Embrace this shift—recognize that you and your spouse are still growing and evolving, and so is your marriage.
Model a Strong Relationship
Your teenagers and adult children are watching, and your relationship serves as a model for their future partnerships.
Demonstrating love, respect, and teamwork in your marriage gives them a blueprint for their own relationships.
Parenting older children comes with its own unique set of challenges, but it’s essential to remember that a thriving marriage is the foundation of a strong family.
Keep your relationship at the heart of your family life—your marriage deserves it, and so do you.