Category: Relationships

Having a baby? Here’s why you’re likely to get divorced soon

by Zach Brittle You know that statistic that 50% of all marriages end in divorce? It’s actually a myth. The good news is that the actual number isn’t quite that high. In fact, sociologists have been debating it for some time and most agree that the actual number is somewhere between 25% and 40%. I realize that’s a huge range…

Relationship Changes

Changes to our relationship are often the most un-anticipated change of becoming new parents. If you are pregnant right now, you might be thinking that your relationship won’t fall into these common traps and this article is not for you. Still, I encourage you to continue reading. Parents and professional therapists know that the first year after having a baby…

What dog poop can teach us about relationships

This post was originally published on local author Tracy Cutchlow’s Zero to Five website. Dog poop on the sidewalk: my 4-year-old spotted it. “Someone left that mess there. That’s not cool!” I said. “That’s not cool!” she agreed. “It’s our responsibility to clean up our own messes,” I said. “Yeah!” she said. “I always try to clean up my own messes,” she said.…

Hi. My name is Zach, and I’m a parent

Hi. My name is Zach, and I’m a parent. If that sounds kind of like the introduction you’d hear at at 12-step meeting, it’s because that’s kind of how I feel about parenting. I’m addicted to it. I can’t help it. I can’t get enough of it. Sometimes I hate it. It might ruin me. But it’s who I am.…

Making Date Night work for you – yes, YOU!

It’s alright, you can admit it: Once you have kids, sneaking out with your sweetie can seem like more trouble than it’s worth. Of course you know you need the break, some time together, a meal that someone else makes and cleans up, and that doesn’t involve a giant stack of napkins and profuse apologies to your server on your way out……

All hail the Happy Hour Date!!

We all know that Date Night is an essential element to keeping the romance burning during these early child-saturated years. But I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets exhausted just thinking about going on a dinner date. First there’s the ground work involved – making a meal for your kids, carefully writing out or relaying bedtime instructions, laying out their pajamas, diapers…

Seattle Dadvocate: Interview with Chris Casazza

Chris will present Top Survival Tips for New Dads this Wednesday, September 16 at the PEPS for Dads event at Lantern Brewing. $10 or pay what you can. Food and drink available for purchase on site. Register at http://pepsfordads.brownpapertickets.com/.   This article is an excerpt of a longer piece published by Perinatal Support Washington, the new name of Postpartum Support International of Washington…

Blended families: notes from the field

Vikki Iverson is a mom of a 1-year old, Rainier, newly standing and taking steps. She’s also the step-mom to her 12 year old son, Will. She’s cared for him since he was a toddler. I talked to Vikki to get some ideas about how she has blended her family. One thing to say up front, Vikki knows she’s lucky.…

How do we have the sex talk at a PEPS Group?

Many parents are thinking about intimacy after baby and that’s great. In a PEPS Group, parents may find it a safe place to talk about it. Some may be wondering, just like with baby’s sleep patterns, “are other parents experiencing the same things we are?” “Are things ever going to return to ‘normal’?”

“It’s not you”

I’ll never forget the quote of a dear friend who enlightened me on the experience of new fathers. He said, “I was prepared to be a father, but I was not prepared to be married to a mother”.