Modern parenting has become an all-consuming endeavour, leaving couples drained and struggling to maintain their romantic connection, according to recent findings. A growing number of parents report that between school runs, extracurricular activities, and household chores, they simply have no energy left for intimacy.
The Exhaustion Epidemic
"We're seeing a generation of parents who are physically and emotionally spent," explains Dr. Sarah Wilkinson, a relationship therapist specialising in family dynamics. "The pressure to be perfect parents often comes at the expense of being partners."
Key Challenges Facing Parents:
- Chronic fatigue from juggling work and childcare
- Lack of private time due to co-sleeping arrangements
- Mental load of household management
- Guilt about prioritising relationship needs
Rebuilding Connection
Experts suggest small but meaningful changes can help couples reconnect:
- Schedule intimacy: Treat couple time with the same importance as parent-teacher meetings
- Micro-moments: A 10-minute coffee together can be as valuable as a date night
- Shared responsibilities: More equitable division of parenting tasks reduces resentment
"It's not about finding more hours in the day," says Wilkinson. "It's about making the hours you have count for your relationship too."
