It doesn’t matter if you are:
A newly married couple and have a child on the way.
You are separated and are with a new significant other.
A single parent just trying to figure things out and skeptical of whom to bring into their child’s life.
A step parent who instantly just became parental role to a child.
There was new life brought into this world and it’s your duty to make it their best. Your life completely changes when a child becomes the center of it.
1. You Sacrifice and Prioritize Your relationship is no longer the same as it was before. You could do things you wanted to without questioning whether you have a babysitter for it or if you have the money.
You start to prioritize everything. Is that child fed first? Is that child’s needs met before your own?
2. Choose That Child. Do you spend a night drinking or do you save that money for a child’s heath expense? Here’s a tip. Choose that child every damn time. They are first priority.
Choosing that child means inviting that child in your queen size bed only leaving you 2 inches to sleep on because they got scared.
That child comes first. Choose to spend a Christmas watching the joy that is brought to that child’s life as they open up their gifts, rather than choosing to spend it on each other. Their joy will always be enough.
3. You Build & You Grow. You’re an ever changing person. Becoming a better person is key to your relationship. Encourage each other to do better. Lift each other up. Fall in love every single day. Don’t just be someone that child needs be the person your partner needs.
4. Trust. There is now an immense amount of trust needed between partners and anyone involved in that child’s life. It goes beyond the line of cheating now. You are trusting someone to care for your own flesh and blood. To put that child’s safety first. To be a great role model in their life.
Anyone who has a child does not let just anyone around their child and into their life. They have to consider who their potential partner is and if they will be a good person to raise your child with.
5. You Compromise. The honest to God truth is you won’t always agree. You have to analyze what is the best for the child rather than your own agenda.
Is my child growing? Is my child learning? Is my child safe? These are questions you ask and if there is anything heisting you, you know it’s no good. You make decisions based on whats better for them than yourself.
6. Time Alone Is Important. I know I said choose that child, but maintain and keep your relationship thriving is important too.
Spend once a month on a date alone together. Talk to each other before you go to bed. Say ‘I Love You’, kiss each other and never let your partner think for a second they are unloved. Just find the time to do something special for them.
Keep the love alive because you have someone who is constantly watching.
7. I Love You More. This becomes something you say more often. You meant it with your whole heart whether you say it to the child or your partner. Your heart grows and becomes big enough to let someone else in it. You start to love life a little more because there is a huge reason for loving it.
8. You Don’t Give Up. There will be plenty of times when things get overwhelming. You will have tantrums in the grocery store. They will play right next to you, on you, and be in your face trying to get your attention. They will argue, they will cry, they will scream, and they will fight. Most important they will love you and they need you. You don’t just walk away from that child. Ever.
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