Register for upcoming workshop: Marriage & Fatherhood: A New Dad's Guide to Marriage After Baby

Marriage
Parenting
Real Wife Lessons
Counseling Services
WORKSHOP: Marriage & Fatherhood
About
- Education
- My Story
- Testimonials
- Media
Contact
- Office Information
- Book Online

Nav Social Menu

Dr. Meredith Hansen

Love. Marriage. Motherhood.

Motherhood

6 Simple Ways to Make Time for Your Marriage

Marriage, Motherhood

After a baby arrives, it isn’t always easy finding time for your marriage. Once that little bundle of joy is…
Read More

« Go to Previous Page
Go to page 1
Go to page 2

Primary Sidebar

Dr. Meredith Hansen

Let’s Connect

Do You Want to Feel Closer to Your Husband?

Download my Favorite 52 Open-Ended Questions to Ask Your Husband and start boosting your connection today!

First Name E-Mail Address

We promise to never sell, rent, trade or share your email with any other organizations.

Latest on Instagram


	
    
        
            realwifelessons
	                
        
            
            
        
    

    
		
    
        
            Instagram post 18104284480115389
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 17951306626312330
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 17866244215619500
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 17914122082386700
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 17894465077443269
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 17849894167861948
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 18103684000106976
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 17859002641705350
            	                    
        
    

    
        
            Instagram post 17906920498405492
            	                    
        
    
    

	

	        
            Load More...
            
        
	
	    
        Follow on Instagram

Browse by Category

Marriage
Motherhood
Real Wife Lessons
Self-Care

Recent Blog Posts

5 Ways to Stop Doing it All
Traveling WITHOUT Your Husband
Happily Ever After in Marriage

Sponsored

Footer

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Instagram post 18104284480115389

When you talk over your spouse or respond to his words instead of validating his feelings, the fight will continue.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Instead of interrupting or just waiting for a pause in the conversation so that you can respond, try to really hear him.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Listen to what your husband trying to tell you? What is he truly communicating? Underneath his words, does he sound worried, sad, scared? Is he lonely, hurt, disappointed? Overwhelmed or anxious?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Beneath the words, between the sentences, are his feelings. Hear them, validate them, and respond to the emotion, not the words.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“I hear that you’re anxious about buying a new home. It is scary. What do we need to do to make sure we make a smart decision for our family.”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #makeitlastforever #marriedandhappy #expectingmama #preparingforbaby #marriedgoals #marriageiswork #newmomproblems #staymarried #marriagewisdom #mutualrespect #wearebettertogether #ocmom #thepoweroflove #marriedwithkids #marraigemotivation #hestheone #ocmommy #successfulmarriage #lifewithlittles #babyontheway #marriagehelp #motherhood #married

Instagram post 17951306626312330

Happy Valentine's Day! 💗
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After almost 20 years, this man still sweeps me off my feet, my 💗 still flutters when he calls, and I still feel immense joy when he walks through the door.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Our love may not be easy, our marriage is definitely not perfect, but our commitment is true.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To have a healthy marriage after children, you have to have realistic expectations for one another.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to talk about what IS working.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to repair when things are not working.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to notice and acknowledge each other's efforts.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to say "I'm sorry" and mean it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to talk when you're tired.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to have sex when you're tired.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to show up for each other every day.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You have to hug, kiss, cuddle, hold hands, go for walks together, carve out time for date nights, turn off your phones, play a board game together, watch his favorite movie, listen to his point of view, share your biggest fears, look into each other's eyes.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To be married after having children means you have to put in the work. To thrive in love, you have to put in the work. To heal a struggling marriage, you have to put in the work.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So tomorrow, after you've spent the night falling in love again, show up and do the work! 💗
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #marriageiswork #staymarried #makeitlastforever #chooseloveoverfear #marriedandhappy #newmomproblems #helpingmoms #realparenting #newmomblog #marriedgoals #ocmom #thepoweroflove #ocmommies #successfulmarriage #momofinstagram #4thtrimester #marriagehelp #motherhoodintheraw #motherhoodunplugged #marriedwithkids #motherhoodlife #lamoms #loveisallthereis #mumtruth #mamaofboys #storytellingmama #lifewithlittles #calimom

Instagram post 17866244215619500

Happy February! It's the official month of 💗!!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For some new moms, this can be a tough month. Feelings of resentment, loneliness, and disappointment are common in a marriage after a baby is born, and can interfere with "that loving feeling" you once had for your husband.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Many new moms feel hurt when their husband chooses to play golf on the weekend, stay late at work during the workweek, or sleep in instead of getting up to go for walk with you and the baby on a Sunday morning.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Small behaviors that wouldn't have affected you before are now filtered through the "he loves me, he loves me not" lens.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rather than doubting his love, pushing him away, or withdrawing from your relationship because you are hurt, remind yourself of all that is good.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Take this month to put your marriage first. Wake up every day and think of one thing you love about him. Work on repairing after a fight. Nurture your love in the small daily moments. And strengthen your marital friendship by carving out time to be with one another (even when you're tired and have little left to give).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Your commitment to making your marriage healthy and leading with love will make all the difference!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #drmeredithhansen #love #marriage #married #motherhood #mommylife #momlife #wifelife #newmom #4thtrimester #newborn #toddler #boymom #girlmom #motherhoodunplugged #momtruth #wifetruth #staymarried #chooselove #choosemarriage #marriagehelp #marriedwithkids #marriageafterbaby #parenthood #ocmom #ocparents #ocmomlife

Instagram post 17914122082386700

The week has ended and you're EXHAUSTED! It’s a lot taking care of baby and trying to get anything else done. (Hello 🙋🏼‍♀️ laundry sitting in my washing machine for 2 days 🤦🏼‍♀️)
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But your marriage matters and putting a little effort into your relationship every day will pay off big time!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Parents of small children DO NOT have a lot of time or opportunities for regular dates, so you have to make use of the small moments in life. You need to hug and kiss your husband whenever you can, sit next to him when you watch a movie, take a walk at the end of a long week just to reconnect, have coffee together over the weekend.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you fill the small moments with chores and wait for the time and/or freedom for romantic getaways and lavish date nights, your marriage will suffer.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Instead, get in the habit of pouring into one another every day in small ways. Give him an unexpected hug, send a loving text, make his favorite cookies, pick up the dry cleaning, watch his favorite show with him, take a bath together, cuddle during the baby's nap, meet for lunch during the workweek.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Practice nurturing your love in the midst of the madness and your relationship (after baby and for years to come) will THRIVE. 💗
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #drmeredithhansen #marriedwithkids #newmom #newparents #newborn #infant #4thtrimester #boymom #girlmom #momlife #wifelife #ocmom #marriagematters #chooselove #choosemarriage #staymarried #marriagehelp #newmomhelp #marriagetruth #lovematters #parenthood #married #mommy #mommylife

Instagram post 17894465077443269

You were one of the lucky ones who met and married your best friend. As a couple, you spent a lot of time laughing together, playing together, traveling together, trying new things together, and just hanging out together, AND THEN YOU HAD A BABY!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Quickly, life changed when your baby was put into your arms and so did your friendship with your husband.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Within the first few weeks, you hardly had time to connect as a couple. Between taking care of baby and managing life at home, you became ships passing in the night. Soon resentment grew every time your husband played golf, worked out, or remained asleep while you woke to feed the baby. You became short, irritable, and passive-aggressive with him, he withdrew, your friendship fizzled, and you became co-parents.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Marriage after baby is lonely. When you become a mom you become consumed with a new little person and you lose the ease and joy of your marital relationship, but no one talks about it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
No one lets you in on this common, painful, dirty little secret. No one prepares you for the grief you experience as your whole world changes and your husband/best friend becomes the person you're the angriest with.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
No one prepares you for the loneliness.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You can feel less lonely and feel less resentment! Getting your friendship back on track is STEP #1 in repairing your marriage after baby. Download 52 Questions to Ask Your Husband (link in bio) and start getting to know one another again. 💗
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #drmeredithhansen #love #marriage #motherhood #lovemarriagemotherhood #chooselove #choosemarriage #newmom #momlife #newborn #4thtrimester #wife #wifelife #marriedwithkids #ocmom #ocmama #mommy #momtruth #wifetruth #motherhoodunplugged #staymarried #marraigehelp #momhelp #postpartumhelp

Instagram post 17849894167861948

G I R L T I M E
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This weekend I had a MUCH needed night away with college friends. In our short time together, we laughed, cried, danced, ate too much, drank a little too much, slept in QUIET hotel rooms, window shopped, and just relaxed.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It was GLORIOUS!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To make this happen, my husband had to manage life at home. He had to take our son to basketball and a birthday party, feed the kids, bathe the kids, soothe the baby who didn't sleep much that night, comfort the 4-year-old who wanted mommy to sing to him. It was a lot for him and he was EXHAUSTED when I returned home, but he did it and will do it again.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I know how hard it can be as a mom to step away. You worry about the kids missing you, sleeping through the night, eating enough, etc. You worry about your husband feeling overwhelmed. You worry about schedules and chores. You feel guilty. It is HARD to step away, but it is NECESSARY!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You are the hub of your family and you need self-care in order to thrive.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When you let go at home, your husband becomes more capable and confident, your children become more independent, and you find yourself again.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If it's been too long since you have a night away, send a text right now and book a girl's trip. It doesn't have to be far or elaborate, it just needs to be long enough and separate enough that you get to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of mom life and just be YOU!💗
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #drmeredithhansen #love #marriage #motherhood #lovemarriagemotherhood #marriagehelp #selfcare #putyoufirst #momlife #wifelife #ocmom #mommy #momofthree #boymom #girlmom #newmom #4thtrimester #motherhoodunplugged #marriageunplugged #chooselove #chooseyou #staymarried #bestmom #bestyou

Instagram post 18103684000106976

Love was lost today.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Whether you're a fan or not, there is no denying the heartbreak that rippled through our world today.💔
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Mothers lost children, children lost parents, wives lost husbands, friends lost friends.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It may be sad that sometimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to hug our loved ones longer and tighter, to kiss our husbands like we really mean it, and to say "I'm sorry".
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But if we take anything away from the loss felt today, let it be that we must love fully, deeply, and truly every single day.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We must remind ourselves to choose love. To repair an argument with our husband, to find patience with our children, to reach out to that friend in need and let them know you care.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When you go to bed tonight, quiet yourself with gratitude and when you wake up, choose love.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Everyday, choose love.💗
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #lovemarriagemotherhood #drmeredithhansen #loss #love #marriageandmotherhood #marriagematters #lovematters #newmom #boymom #girlmom #wifelife #momlife #wifelifeunplugged #chooselove #holdontight #ocmom #ocwife #socalmom #loveafterbaby #marriedwithkids #motherhoodjourney #grief #marriagehelp #mamma #wifey #family #kobe

Instagram post 17859002641705350

Marriage & Fatherhood!!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Workshop for Dads coming up
Saturday, February 1st
10-11:30AM
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Only a few spots left!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We will talk about all things marriage, fatherhood, and adjusting to life as a #newparent!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sign your hubby up today! (LINK IN BIO)
DrMeredithHansen.com/new_dad
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#realwifelessons #marriageandmotherhood #marriageandfatherhood #newmom #newdad #dadlife #momlife #marriage #motherhood #ocmom #ocdad #ocfamily #marriagematters #staymarried #marriedforlife #mommylife #marriageunplugged #momhelp #dadhelp #chooselove #fatherhood #4thtrimester #momofthree #boymom #girlmom #marriediwithbaby #marriedwithkids #mommyandme #daddyandme

Instagram post 17906920498405492

You fall deeply in love when you get married. You spend endless hours together. You play together, laugh together, sleep together, make love.

New love, newlywed love, is romantic, passionate, exciting.

Then you have a baby, and you and your husband excitedly begin to prepare for the baby. You buy stuff, talk to friends, visit the doctor. You daydream about what life will be like with your new baby and patiently wait for the day when everything will change.

But the truth is that most couples are NOT prepared for the changes that will take place.

Once that baby is put in your arms, everything, EVEN your marriage, ESPECIALLY your marriage, CHANGES!

The passionate love you once had begins to fizzle.

You feel underappreciated, lonely, and overwhelmed.

Your husband feels like he can't do anything right.

You miss each other and the ease of your marriage pre-baby. You miss hanging out together, talking, exploring the world as a couple.

You fight more, kiss less, sleep in separate bedrooms.

YOU'RE LONELY.

Was your marriage prepared for baby? Has your marriage recovered?

#lovemarriagemotherhood #loveafterbaby #marriedwithkids #newmom #4thtrimester #married #mom #momlife #wifelife #ocmom #socalmom #motherhoodjourney #staymarried #marriagehelp #mommyandme #marriagematters #chooselove #motherhoodunplugged #boymom #girlmom #mamma #wifey

Copyright © 2020 · Anchored Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in