I’ve been working on a project with a friend for both of our ministries and I was looking for something pertaining to the “Pre-baby” time in a marriage. It’s that stage when they’re pregnant, but they haven’t had the baby yet. As I was perusing the Internet to help stimulate my thinking, I came upon an article that brought some levity to my day, and a good laugh. (Thanks Lord, I needed that!) It talks about how children challenge and change a marriage.
Children Challenge Your Marital Strength
I’m not too keen on the web site the article is housed on, and I can’t use the questions they posed to those who are expecting a baby in our project (because of copyright infringement). But I thought I’d provide a web site link anyway, so you can read the questions yourself and perhaps enjoy a laugh, as well.
Here’s one of the questions they posed concerning being ready for parenthood. I hope you find it to be as funny as I did. The truth is that I’ve experienced a lot of this personally while our sons were growing up:
“Can you clean up puke, change 10 crib sheets, make dinner, and help someone do homework while running a fever of 103?
“Okay, no one THINKS they can.”
Yep! We’ve been there and have done some things close to that… and more!
Again, Children Challenge a Marriage!
Here’s the entire article, to read:
• 10 Questions You Should Ask Before Having Kids
Having children sure tests every ounce of strength you ever thought you had. There’s no doubt about that! And even though children are a blessing from God, they sure can be hard on a marriage! A lot of what happens can test even the best of marriage relationships. That is because the entrance of children into your home life changes everything. And I mean everything!
If you haven’t had children yet or you want to, I hope I haven’t frightened you too much. I love our sons (and their wives and children). I can’t imagine not having them. But even so, those who have children sure need to do a lot of adjusting. They also must do a lot of readjusting and readjusting. (Hopefully, it’s healthy readjusting.) And if spouses don’t do so, it can bring even more problems.
Why am I writing this? First off, to share a few laughs with you through the article I pointed out. Plus, I want to warn those who haven’t had children yet to please, please, please do what you can to shore up your marriage now. Also work on your communication skills. You’re going to need good ones. NOW is the time to get ready for a whole lot of shaking going on in your world together.
Children are a Blessing and a Challenge
Kids are a blessing, but even with blessings, there are the ups and downs of it all.
And if you want a bit of help with it all, please go to the topic on our web site, Children’s Effects on Marriage. I’m hoping you will find at least part of what you need to help you, as God guides you there and beyond.
Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions International wrote this blog.
Filed under: Marriage Blog