How To Rekindle Your Marriage
Having kids changes almost every part of your marriage. Between sleepless nights, packed schedules, and endless responsibilities, it’s easy for romance to slip to the bottom of the priority list.
The good news? Losing the spark doesn’t have to be permanent. Couples who stay connected aren’t necessarily less busy—they’re simply intentional about making their marriage a priority.
In this article you’ll find 10 practical ways to keep your relationship strong after kids, from small daily habits to meaningful date ideas that help you reconnect.
Why Romance Often Changes After Having Kids
Having children is one of life’s greatest blessings—but it’s also one of the biggest adjustments a marriage can experience. Between sleepless nights, busy schedules, sports practices, homework, and endless responsibilities, it’s easy for couples to slip into “co-parent mode.”
The good news is that losing the spark doesn’t mean you’ve fallen out of love. It usually means your relationship needs intentional attention. Small, consistent acts of connection can strengthen your marriage, even during the busiest seasons of family life.
How to Keep THE ROMANCE ALIVE AFTER KIDS
Becoming parents changes your marriage in wonderful ways—but it also brings new challenges. Between busy schedules, sleepless nights, school activities, and the never-ending to-do list, it’s easy for romance to take a back seat. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay connected as a couple after having kids, you’re not alone. The good news is that small, intentional habits can make a big difference in helping your marriage stay strong through every stage of parenthood.
Think of all the couples you know that have kids. Now think of that couple that is still madly in love! The ones that still act like newlyweds even though they have several little ones in tow. What are they doing differently? What’s their secret to keeping the spark alive?
Well, I asked several of them to find out – and these are the 10 things that kept coming up as we learned about how they keep the romance alive in their marriage after parenthood.
1. Make Date Night a Priority
You had to see this one coming. I mean, we are Date Your Spouse- it’s the whole reason why we started this site- to share fun, creative date ideas! The truth is dating each other is what made you fall in love in the first place. So it makes sense that you should keep dating to stay in love. If you don’t want the fire to die out you have to keep blowing on the flames. Right?
We’ve never met a couple who said, “I wish we’d spent less time together.”
It doesn’t have to be an elaborate, over-the-top date. Even if it’s just talking & laughing over a picnic dinner on the bed.. in whispered tones so the baby stays asleep!  Just set aside time each week for just the two of you to reconnect. Family nights are great, but they don’t count as date night! You need time to be husband and wife instead of mom and dad. If you’re looking for how to rekindle romance, have a regular date night!
I think most of us know we should be making time for date night regularly, but the reality is that it isn’t always happening. We get it, it’s hard! Especially if you have little ones at home. But if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit that if it’s important, you’ll find a way. If it’s not important, then you’ll find an excuse. That’s why we put together our popular Date Night Guide. Remember, you always have time for the things you put first!
If you’re struggling with this one you need to stop right now and get this guide then go read up on How to Make Date Night Happen! It’s full of practical solutions for overcoming all of your date night challenges. And if you’re a new parent looking to rekindle the marriage romance, make sure to check out our New Parents Cozy Date Night! It has everything you need for a romantic, at-home date with your sweetheart. So, no more excuses!
2. Spoil Your Spouse, Not Your Kids
One of the very best things you can do for your kids is to put your spouse first! Strong marriages make strong families. Not only does it provide your children with a sense of safety and security, but it shows them what real love should look like. If you are always putting your children before your husband, you are not doing them any favors. In fact, you’re doing them a great disservice.
I get it, your husband is a grown man who can take care of himself and your children are small and need you. But do you know what they need the most? They need a happy home. And happy couples create happy homes. When you’re working together to be a better husband and wife – you will be better parents.
Not convinced? Then, I highly recommend you hop on over and read Find Out Why Your Spouse Should Come First!
3. Â Bring Back the PDA
I bet when you first started dating and fell in love, you couldn’t keep your hands off each other. Am I right? You were always cuddling up, holding hands, and sneaking in extra kisses.
Well, how affectionate are you now?
After kids come along, things can get a little trickier in this department. I mean, it’s hard to snuggle up when you’re holding a baby and the toddler’s crawling all over you. But it’s important to be intentional in your relationship so you can keep that closeness.
Physical touch should be happening regularly – and I’m talking about outside of the bedroom, too! Give him a little love tap as you’re passing him in the hall, hold hands when you’re driving in the car, or pause for a quick dance in the kitchen.
Sometimes parents back off on the PDA because they don’t want to gross out the kids.  But I say…  go ahead and gross-out the kids! Obviously, you want to keep things G-rated in front of them, but it’s okay for them to see you kissing, cuddling, dancing, and being in love! In fact, it’s good for them.
Part of our job as parents is to model what a strong marriage looks like. Besides, I don’t know about you but, I never want my children to question whether or not I love their dad. I want it to be glaringly obvious.
4.  Make Time to Transition from “Mom Mode” to “Wife Mode”
One of the best things we’ve done for our marriage is being consistent and firm about bedtime. Our kids know that after bedtime is our time! After 8 o’clock I am no longer mom- I’m Becca. Dealing with diapers and crying all day, I need a break and time to transition from “mom mode” to “wife mode”.
After the kids are in bed, I take a nice hot bubble bath or shower and let all the stress of the day wash down the drain (along with the spit-up that I’m usually covered in). Afterward, I always feel more refreshed and more me. Besides, I’m much more likely to cuddle up close to my hubby when I’m feeling clean and smelling yummy.
Whatever you need to do to transition out of “mom mode,” make time for it! Sure, being a mom is a 24/7 gig, but remember, so is being a wife! And you’ll be a much better, happier mom if you make time for yourself too. Schedule in some mandatory “me” time!
Parenting requires teamwork, but it’s important not to let every conversation revolve around the kids. Continue learning about each other, laughing together, dreaming about the future, and making time to simply enjoy being husband and wife.
5. Get Your Flirt On
Yeah, you’re his wife, but never stop being his girlfriend!
Don’t lose the playful, fun part of your relationship- that’s where all the romance is! Don’t stop flirting! Especially at home. Adapt to and learn the art of flirting in front of your children.  Leave love notes for him to find, send flirty text messages while he’s at work, or give him a small gift— just because! It’s time to reclaim the FUN in your marriage. Have inside jokes! Find moments to laugh together.
If you feel like you’ve forgotten how to flirt or you’re a little out of practice, no worries! We have a whole list of Ways to Flirt with Your Spouse to get you started.
We also share specific ideas of what dating your spouse should look like on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis.
6. Â Quit the Competition
Don’t play the “who’s doing more work” or “who has it harder” game. The truth is, being a mom is hard. Being a dad is hard. But you have to remember that you’re on the same team. If one of you loses, you both lose. Instead of complaining and comparing, work together to support, complement, and encourage each other. You should be your spouse’s biggest fan and cheerleader. Not his rival or competitor. So ditch the scoreboard and stop keeping track.
Complete each other, don’t compete with each other! Take time to continue sharing your hopes and dreams with each other. Create a bucket list and include things you consider both doable and far-fetched; nothing is too small or big. Have fun! keep adding to and checking things off.
7. Â Be His Lover, Not His Mother
Even though you’re a mom, you are not his mom! Never give into the urge to nag or mother your spouse. Too often women complain that their husband “acts like one of the kids.” Well, if you want him to act like a man, then you need to treat him like one. Give him the love and respect that he deserves and never talk down to him or about him. You wouldn’t like him acting like your dad and telling you what to do, right? So remember it goes both ways. If you want to be treated like a queen, treat him like a king. If you find yourself hovering over your spouse with criticism, replace it with genuine appreciation.
8. Â Get on the Same Parenting Page
Parenting is a tough gig. Chances are, you and your spouse are probably going to have different parenting styles. It’s important to be united as a team, so the kids can’t pit you against each other. While most of us can agree that we both have our child’s best interest at heart, we sometimes disagree on what that “best” is. Because we were all raised differently, we bring different viewpoints and experiences into our marriage.
Now, remember, you don’t have to think alike to think together. But you do have to learn to practice honest, open communication. And it usually requires a great deal of humility and patience. It might not always be easy, but parenting is one of the best ways that we can work to become one in our marriage.
If you’re looking for a good parenting book we HIGHLY recommend Parenting with Love and Logic and The 5 Love Languages of Children!
9. Â Make Love to Stay in Love
It’s totally true, making love is one of the best ways to stay in love. It’s about a lot more than just sex. Intimacy is like the glue in a marriage. Besides being FUN and creating a stronger marital connection and bond, it also has some pretty nice benefits too! Ready to hear ’em? Here we go! Regular sex has also been scientifically proven to help you:  weigh less, look younger, have less wrinkles, have less stress, gain more confidence, AND have less headaches. And those are just my favorite benefits! I mean come on, why would you NOT want those? I’d be interested just for the beauty benefits alone.
Yes, it can get a little trickier after the kids come. Maybe you’re always tired and exhausted or over-touched from having kids climbing on you all day. But intimacy is a vital part of your marriage, and it’s worth any time and effort that it takes to improve it. If you’re struggling in this area, communicate with your spouse and let him know that you want to work on it together. That’s one of the reasons why we created our Intimacy Conversation Starter Cards.Â
Maybe it’s worth having him watch the kids while you take a nap so you’re not so tired or having him give you a massage using nice oils to relax. Or maybe it means getting your hormones checked. Whatever it is, make it important to you. Because it’s important to your marriage.
Need somewhere to start? We recommend you start with our Sex Seminar and then move on to ForePLAY Fixes.
You might also want to listen to this podcast episode on Get Your Marriage On about “How to Keep Your Marriage Hot In The Middle Of Raising Little Kids”
10. Don’t Give Up!
Romance in marriage is not a one-time commitment or act, it’s a continuous decision. It’s about choosing each other again and again — every day. It’s about forgiving, learning, and growing. Romance is about falling in love with each other over and over again. It’s the little things we choose to do each day. Pray for each other. Serve each other. Love only diminishes when we stop giving it, so never stop. Marriage is a 365 Day a year gig. Decide now that you’ll never give up!
How to Keep Relationship Strong After Having a Baby
Every stage of marriage brings new challenges, and raising children is one of the busiest seasons you’ll ever experience. Thankfully, staying connected doesn’t require extravagant vacations or hours of free time. Consistently choosing small acts of love, appreciation, affection, and quality time can strengthen your marriage for years to come. Your children benefit from seeing parents who genuinely enjoy and prioritize one another, making your relationship one of the greatest gifts you can give your family.
Do you have anything ideas you’d add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
Pssst… for more ideas on how to keep the romance alive make sure to check out our At-Home Date Night Ideas for After the Kids are in Bed.
The secret to keeping romance alive after kids isn’t finding more free time—it’s making intentional choices with the time you already have. Small daily habits like flirting, expressing appreciation, sharing affection, and protecting time together can strengthen your marriage even during the busiest seasons of parenting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping the Romance Alive After Kids
Absolutely. Many couples notice that their relationship changes after becoming parents. Sleepless nights, busy schedules, and the demands of raising children can leave little time or energy for romance. While these changes are common, they don’t have to become permanent. Prioritizing small moments of connection can help you rebuild closeness and strengthen your marriage over time.
The strongest marriages aren’t built on grand romantic gestures—they’re built on consistent, everyday habits. Spending quality time together, communicating openly, showing affection, expressing appreciation, and making regular date nights a priority all help couples stay emotionally connected, even during busy parenting seasons.
There’s no perfect number, but many marriage experts recommend making time for a date at least once or twice each month. If that’s not realistic, look for smaller ways to connect throughout the week. Even sharing a cup of coffee before the kids wake up, taking an evening walk, or spending 20 uninterrupted minutes together can strengthen your relationship.
Romance doesn’t have to mean elaborate plans. During stressful seasons, focus on simple acts of love like holding hands, leaving encouraging notes, sending a thoughtful text during the day, giving a genuine compliment, or sharing a long hug before bed. Small, intentional moments often have the biggest impact.
Having children doesn’t automatically hurt a marriage, but it does change it. Parenthood introduces new responsibilities, less free time, and added stress that can make couples feel disconnected if they aren’t intentional about nurturing their relationship. Making your marriage a priority benefits not only you and your spouse but your entire family.
One of the most common mistakes is allowing every conversation and every ounce of energy to revolve around the children. While parenting is incredibly important, your marriage also needs attention. Continuing to laugh together, dream together, date each other, and invest in your friendship helps create a strong foundation for your family.
Start with small, consistent steps instead of waiting for a perfect vacation or special occasion. Schedule uninterrupted time together, ask meaningful questions, express gratitude regularly, and be intentional about showing affection. Rebuilding connection happens one conversation and one shared experience at a time.
A healthy marriage creates a stable, loving environment for your children and strengthens your family as a whole. When spouses intentionally invest in their relationship, they’re better equipped to support each other through the challenges of parenting. Children also benefit from seeing parents who genuinely enjoy, respect, and love one another.
The newborn stage can be especially challenging, so it’s important to adjust your expectations and focus on staying emotionally connected. Give each other grace, communicate openly about your needs, celebrate small wins, and look for simple ways to show love each day. As your routines become more predictable, you can gradually add regular date nights and other intentional ways to reconnect.
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We love your comments
This is great & so important for any marriage! Thank you!
You are so welcome! 🙂
So true! Love the quote “Be Good Parents, Gross your kids out!” So funny. Thanks for the great reminder.
YES! All good advice!
This is a one sided article; all about the women making all the effort.
Hi Monica! This article was written especially for women since that’s our main audience. However, all 10 tip equally apply to men!
Thank you helping
Of course! So glad you found it helpful!
This is 100% accurate. My husband and I have been married for 16 years and are still madly in love. I found myself nodding along while reading.
LOVE that! And congrats on 16 years!
You just nailed it! Just what I needed right now! I’m glad I found this!! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed it, Christel!
Timeless wisdom this article is and it looks like the comments just keep coming. My wife and I are going on 27 years of marriage with soon to be 26 (Daughter about done with medical school) and 24 (talented autistic son/artist) year old kids. I was the one to give up the career so my wife could maintain a medical practice. Some of these things are definitely missing in our lives and I’m trying to be the one to bring them back. Putting the kids First was our or my downfall. Now that we are out of those woods, I’m trying to do all the right things but it is hit and miss, but I won’t stop trying. Thanks again for this refreshing list of challenges.
Sounds like your wife picked well- good for you for not stopping and always trying. So glad you enjoyed the article and we wish you all the best!
Great information ahead! I really agree with you. As a couple you have to complete each other’s pleasure. It is very essential to be a husband and wife first and don’t forget that, because your baby is going to grow watching a very good connection.
We absolutely agree, Lesa!
Hi Becca, i just wanted to thank you for your wonderful site and article. I’ve been married for 21 years and you’d think i should already know alot of these things but truth is you kind of forget to take care of each other or you lose sight of things along the way. We kind of hit a rough patch for a while, now we are trying so hard at making things right for us, i found your acticle so helpful, i really wanted to acknowledge you and i can’t wait to try some of these tips. I guess we never really stop learning. From one happy mum/wife/woman to another. God bless you xoxox
Oh Lorena, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! That just made my day. I’m so glad that you found the article helpful. Kudos to you for 21 years of marriage and for still making it a priority. God bless you both! XOXO
I am a 48 yr.old single woman. I’ve not married or have children yet. So it would seem this article would not pertain to me but I will say, I found your article one of the most insightful, eye opener pieces I’ve read about marriage. I come from a divorce family where I did not get to see my parents hugging, kissing or interacting as a couple much or manage as united parents a lot of the times and all through my life all I’ve wanted most is to have a family of my own with a partner that I am a great team with as a woman and mother. Its been hard to realize that, specially not knowing what to expect or having had that experience first hand from either side: as a child or now as an adult but finding enlightening and thought provoking articles like yours, bringing about how we might feel at times (re: exhausted or overtouched by the kids and not craving intimacy at the moment or working as a united team so the kids cant pit the parents against one another) certainly puts me a tad closer to making this happen. Thank you!
Jessica, your comment made our day! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind and thoughtful words. Kudos to you for taking the time to read articles and looking to learn to give yourself the education your childhood might not have offered you. You’re going to be such a great wife and mom one day! Wishing you all the best! XOXO
This article touched home in way I cannot explain…. thank you
Oh I’m so glad Jennifer! Thank you for taking the time to comment- it made our day! 🙂
I never knew such small gestures have such profound impact …THANK YOU !!
I came back again to post this comment. I tried your suggestion of ” bring the PDA back” being a typical indian male, I was shy/traditional to keep romantic features in private only, who would imagine such a guy doing this after 7 years of marriage … I tried it in front of my mom, a friend couple who was visiting us …I just held her hand n kissed her hands and thanked her for being such a wonderful wife …And believe me …Her face …It was like … Blushing …. I don’t remember such blush in last many years …So thanks for the wonderful tip!
Thanks for this useful article
You’re so welcome!
Thanks providing these ways to get back romance in life
You’re so welcome!
Loved it thank you :))))) it sounds so easy and loving. Why do people make marriage so complicated. Loved your 10 pointers ?
Thanks Aisha! It really doesn’t have to be complicated if you’re intentional about it. So glad you enjoyed the article. 🙂
Thanks a lot..! Dear Becca….!!
I’ve read the two articles “10 things the close couples do to keep the romance alive after kids” and ” 10 ways porn puts your Marriage in danger”.
I am working as a Sr. College Asst. prof. in a reputed college and also a young dad of a 2 year old girl Shreeya. Your articles really helping me at my job and in my relation wife having successful shift as a professor in college in front of girl students of young age in college and at my home as dad during day and a good husband at night..!!!!
You’re so welcome, Ashish! So glad you’ve found our articles helpful. Being a great husband and father is not an easy task, but we’re so grateful for good men out there like you.
Such a wondeful and well written post!! I can relate to most of the points there..couldn’t have found anything better to understand what’s happening to me post baby. Thanks again Becca xoxo
You are so welcome, Mitali! So glad that you found it helpful. Thanks for taking the time to leave a sweet comment! XOXO
great great tips. I am sharing on my twitter. I really like
thanks
Thanks for sharing! So glad you enjoyed it.
Nice!! I really like it and happy to know that without I mean it I did create a time every day for just my husband and me. Since my pregnancy I was always worried about becoming a mom might make me forget the woman in me so I tried all my best to show my self and my husband that I can manage both roles being a mom and a wife in the same time. Now my daughter is 2. I know it is not easy but hope God will help me to make it better and better.
So happy you’re keeping your priorities through everything! 🙂 We really think that being intentional is what it’s ALL about! God Bless! XOXO
Thanks I needed this! We have our 11st baby and she is 7 months old, we had a difficult pregnancy and a few months following it but now we are on the up and up and need to find ourselves and our romance again!
Good for you! So glad you’re making your marriage a priority. That’s one lucky little baby to have you two for parents. 🙂
wow! I am not married yet but am looking forwards to being a great wife and having an awesome marriage! (so help me God)
thanks for the tips!
You’re so welcome! XOXO
These are all vital! We are both people who are into routine, but when our daughter came along we became even more routine. Which honestly can get a bit boring. So we have been intentional about mixing things up like out date nights and our sex, but even little things like recipes we try and how we spend our evening family time. This has been really helpful for us!
You’re so right! Just switching things up and trying new things helps a lot. 🙂
This is excellent!
Thanks Heather! 🙂
WOW! This is excellent. This is my first time on this website and I’m loving it already. Thank you for reminding me that I am his lover, not his mother. I’m guilty of looking at my husband as though one of my kids (when I have to remind him to comb his hair, put his dirty socks away, eat without spilling crumbs everywhere, etc) and I’m renewing my mind right away. He’s my husband, not my oldest baby 🙂
Aww- thank you. So glad you found our site!
I love this! It is so creative. i’m a Marriage and Family Therapist and will be sharing your stuff with my clients. They’ll love it too. Thanks!
Awww- thanks so much for sharing Christine! 🙂
Very inspiring!
I love this!! 🙂 We’ve been adjusting to having a little one around and keeping our marriage a priority has been important to us. Thanks for the great suggestions and at home date night ideas!
We like to do cute little things to let the other know that we’re thinking about each other. Like leaving Flirty messages for each other on the bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker or I’ll write a compliment on a slip of paper and put in in his sun visor in his truck, even just shooting each other a random text like “You’re amazing!” Or “Hey beautiful” Can make such a difference. He’ll stop on the way home and pick up my favorite treat for us to share or pick me a flower from the garden. It’s the little things that can be constant reminders of the constant love we share for each other that keeps things alive 🙂 we’ve been married for 9 years and always receive compliments on how cute we are Lol We feel like we did when we started dating cause we still act like We’re dating each other 🙂 I love your posts! It’s always fun to try new things and add a little spice to our already playful relationship! Thank you!
Jessica- I LOVE that!!! Now THAT is what marriage is all about. 🙂
This is an incredible list and a great reminder! Thanks!
Loved this post. Thank you.
Thanks Jenn! You’re so welcome. 🙂
LOVE ALL THESE TIPS!!! You must have a great marriage and have examples of really strong marriages around you. I especially like your tip of ” marriage is a continuous decision” …I should put that on my wall somewhere. I think it has saved many marriages.
Awww… thank you Aunt Lorna! I seriously have the BEST examples of strong marriages around me. 🙂
Amazing tips! And I absolutely ADORE these little quote/meme things! Stunning!!!
Thanks Gabby!
Love this post! Sharing on Facebook right now!
Awwwww- thank you so much Ludavia!
SUCH a great post! I seriously LOVE this!!!! XOXO