If you’re a parent, your list of things to do never ends. Get up. Prepare lunch. You can check your email while holding a baby. Stop fights between siblings. Once more, try to clean the house. Try not to cry while you step on Legos. Crash into bed, having barely found a moment of time together, and wonder where the day went. Repeat.

Sound familiar?

Now add this question: When was the last time you and your partner had a moment where you both laughed out loud without stopping? Moments like these build intimacy and help you reconnect, even in the throes of parenting duties.

Do not feel bad if you scratch your head. In reality, being a parent is beautiful, crazy, and stressful, and it can push love relationships to the bottom of the list.

Don’t forget, though, that you and your partner were a “we” before you became “Mom” and “Dad.” The word “we” is still important. One of the most helpful things you can do for your kids is to work on your relationship. How can you make time for love when you can barely find time to go to the bathroom alone? Let’s talk about that.

Why Nurturing and Balancing Matter 

When you’re raising tiny humans, love often hides under laundry piles and school permission slips. Putting each other first isn’t just about romance, though; it’s also about being strong. Whenever there are problems as a parent, research has shown that couples who connect with each other regularly, even if it’s just in small ways, feel more encouraged, less stressed, and more united in their efforts to build a strong relationship. The best part? Your kids feel it, too They keep an eye on everything. They learn how to treat others by watching how kind, loving, and cooperative their parents are with each other. When two people are happy together, their home is also happy. That’s why it’s worth the work.

The Struggle Is Real, But So Is the Solution

We can all think of a reason.

“We’re too worn out.”

“I don’t have time.”

“There’s no sitter.”

“When things calm down, we’ll get back together.”

Stop right there—things don’t really calm down. They just change. As babies grow into toddlers and then into school-age kids, life gets busier in new ways. It’s not time yet; the key is already there. Making time on purpose, even in the smallest parts of your day, is what it means. How to do it.

Micro-Moments > Grand Gestures

Roses and fancy meals are out of the question (for now). You don’t need a big stage to connect. It can look like taking a five-minute break on the porch after sleep. You could also send a funny image during the day. To go to Target, you could hold hands in the car. Little times of “us” add up. Do not think too little of them.

Treat Your Partner Like Your Favorite Person—Not Just a Co-Parent

It’s simple to act like a business partner: “Did you pay the daycare bill?” Who is going to get the groceries? Have you planned to see the dentist?” Don’t forget, though, that your partner is more than just helping you handle chaos. Ask each other about fun things that don’t have to do with kids. Date. Tell each other nice things like you used to. Laugh a lot. Seeing and feeling valued can spark something new in ways that will surprise you.

Turn Mundane Moments Into Mini-Dates

Folding the laundry? Play some music and dance while you fold. Plates? Set a candle on the table and talk while you clean up. Are the kids finally asleep? Get your best snacks ready and watch an old comedy all at once. It does not need to be fancy, just on purpose. There’s a good chance that these daily habits will help you stay connected, even when you’re buried in parenting duties.

Protect Your Time Like It’s Sacred (Because It Is)

You wouldn’t cancel a doctor’s appointment or forget a work meeting, right? So why treat time with your partner like it’s optional? Start out easy, like once a week. Mark your calendar for “date night,” even if all you do is watch a movie and order food. Watch out for that time. Keep it safe. Put up a fence around it so that life can’t get through.

Ditch the Guilt

One thing parents are known for is guilt. When you’re with your partner, you might feel like you’re not paying attention to the kids. It’s not like that at all.

Children feel safe and happy when they are with a pair that is strong and connected. You show them what love looks like in action. It’s okay to feel guilty when you do something good for your family. Prioritizing intimacy isn’t selfish—it strengthens the entire family unit.

Say “Yes” to Help—Even If It Feels Weird

Whether it’s trading babysitting duties with another couple or letting Grandma take the kids for the night, don’t be afraid to lean on your village. You shouldn’t be a parent by yourself. Keeping a friendship going isn’t either. Get help from the people around you to recover and get back in touch. You don’t get extra points for being amazing.

Rewind the “Why” Behind Your Love

When did you last talk about how you met? What did you like about each other? What dreams do you still want to work on together? Those stories are still important. Going back to them can be a strong way to remember what brought you together and what keeps you together now. Write down your dreams. Chat about your plans for the future. Dream little. Have big dreams. Do dream about each other though.

Love Is Worth Fighting For Amidst Parenting Duties

It’s not always going to work out. Some weeks will be tough to get through. It’s all right. Though there will be chaos, crumbs, and tired eyes, if you keep being there for each other, you’ll build something stronger than before. “I’m too tired” will become “I’m still here.” When you care for love, it becomes the thing that holds your family together.

If this post speaks to you, you should read ‘Love Ignited: Unveiling the Benefits of Parental Date Nights’ by Serena March next. This isn’t just another love storybook. Real parents with real problems wrote this warm and wise guide. It has personal stories, words of support, and research-based tips to help you put each other first again. Because love never goes away; it just needs a little spark.