Episodes
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Have you ever wondered if focusing too much on your kids might be pulling you away from your partner? Join us as we unravel this intricate conundrum through the lens of Regina and Sebastian, a couple attempting to juggle the needs of their relationship with the demands of raising three young children. This episode takes you on a journey beyond the surface-level conflicts to reveal the tender, unspoken plea of "I miss you" often hidden beneath the daily grind. With insights drawn from their story, we explore how couples can harmoniously nurture both their partnership and their family life.
We challenge the societal narrative that children automatically become hurdles to romantic relationships, inviting you to rethink how personal history and cultural expectations shape our perceptions. Regina and Sebastian's story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding one's own fears and desires, and how these can subtly influence relationship dynamics. By reframing the family not as competing responsibilities but as a united entity, we showcase how couples can find new ways to connect and grow together alongside their children.
Spontaneous moments, like a simple coffee break or an impromptu game, can reignite the spark between partners navigating the rigors of family life. We share practical strategies and introduce our Relationship Reconnection Series, designed for couples eager to understand their attachment styles and address stressors like parenting and in-laws. By fostering mutual understanding and shared experiences, couples can build a resilient partnership that stands strong amid life's challenges. Join us to learn how you can create meaningful connections with your partner while embracing the joys and trials of family life. -
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Unlock the secrets to a stronger parenting partnership as we explore the intricate interplay of trust and communication in relationships. What happens when differing parenting styles collide, especially during nighttime duties? Join us to uncover how real-life couple Devante and Steph navigate these challenges with their son, Tavon. Through their journey, you'll gain insights into recognizing underlying beliefs that fuel conflicts and learn strategies for building a harmonious parenting environment.
In this episode, we highlight the power of understanding and validating your partner's feelings to transform disagreements into opportunities for connection. Drawing from practical examples and resources like "Too Tired to Fight," we share actionable advice on handling common relationship tensions, whether it's feeling like the default parent or dealing with in-law dynamics. As Devante and Steph work towards a more supportive partnership, we emphasize the profound impact a healthy relationship can have on parenting. Prioritize connection over conflict and discover how every challenge can lead to growth and deeper trust. -
Episodes manquant?
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Have you ever found yourself caught in a whirlwind of negative banter with your partner, wondering how it all escalated so quickly? Join us as we explore the pitfalls of critical behavior in relationships through the story of Janelle and Hector. This episode reveals how picking at each other's imperfections can create a cycle of resentment and disconnection. We promise you'll walk away with practical strategies to foster appreciation and teamwork, transforming those tense moments into opportunities for a stronger partnership.
Stress in parenting partnerships can often lead to rigidity and heightened criticism over small, everyday matters. Explore the dynamics of perceived and actual imbalances in relationships and learn how these can lead to feelings of being undervalued. Through candid discussions, we highlight the importance of recognizing each partner's efforts and maintaining a supportive bond. Communication and understanding are key, and we delve into the power of addressing inequalities to create a healthy and thriving relationship.
Finally, we provide a roadmap for turning conflict into connection, using Hector and Janelle's journey as a guide. By embracing each conflict as a chance for growth, we uncover strategies that help recognize the full scope of contributions each partner makes. Discover how shifting perspectives and acknowledging each other's values can transform your interactions, breaking the cycle of repetitive arguments. Listen in for valuable insights and tools to build a more harmonious and loving relationship with your partner. -
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What happens to intimacy when children enter the picture? Many parents find themselves asking this question, and we're here to provide some insights. Join us, Dr. Stephen and Erin Mitchell, as we untangle the complex web of maintaining a healthy sex life post-kids. Through the relatable journey of Whitney and Rupal, we highlight the challenges that can strain intimacy, such as exhaustion and body image concerns, and how these can impact communication and connection between partners.
Understanding how intimacy and communication evolve is crucial for any relationship, especially when life gets busy with kids. We break down the ways partners can impact each other's needs for connection and intimacy. It's not just about gender roles—these dynamics shift and change over time. By examining Whitney and Rupal's story, we offer insight into how recognizing and addressing personal tendencies can strengthen relationships. Reflecting on personal histories can reveal much about our expressions of love and why we seek connection in different ways.
Finally, we explore how conflicts can be transformed into moments of connection. From feeling like the default parent to navigating tricky in-law dynamics, every disagreement holds the potential to deepen understanding between partners. Drawing from our book, "Too Tired to Fight," we provide practical steps to turn conflicts into opportunities for growth. Join our community as we share guidance, support, and stories that can help you enhance your relationship, moving beyond conflict to build stronger bonds. -
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Have you ever had a fight with your partner that left you both feeling distant and unsure of how to reconnect? In this episode of Couples Counseling for Parents, Erin and Dr. Stephen Mitchell dive deep into the art of repairing after conflict. Using the relatable story of Trey and Addie, they illustrate how unresolved arguments can create emotional distance, while offering practical scripts and steps to help you break the cycle.
You’ll learn about the importance of acknowledgment, validation, and action when it comes to making up after a fight. Erin and Stephen explore how our childhood experiences with conflict shape our adult relationships, and how shifting from defensiveness to understanding can foster deeper connection. With real-life examples and actionable advice, this episode will guide you toward healthier communication and stronger bonds with your partner—especially when things get tough.
Tune in for expert advice, thoughtful reflections, and practical scripts you can use to reconnect after your next argument. Whether it’s a small disagreement or an ongoing conflict, you’ll leave this episode with the tools to bridge the gap and restore closeness in your relationship.
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In today's episode, Stephen and Erin tackle the feeling many couples experience after kids—that sinking thought that "maybe I’ll never feel truly loved or appreciated." Using the high-stress periods of pregnancy and birth as a case study, they break down how partners can lose sight of each other’s needs and how to reset that dynamic for good. If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start feeling connected, this episode is for you.
And don’t forget to check out their book, Too Tired to Fight, which dives even deeper into the 13 conflicts every couple needs to have—available now wherever you get your books.
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One of the most complex relationships to navigate for parenting partners is relationships with their parents and in-laws. What can parenting partners do to have healthy relationships with their parents/in-laws and give their kids strong relationship with grandparents? Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP answer this question and so many more in this episode.
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Does talking about emotions matter? We see so many couples were one partner's primary complaint is that their partner cannot talk about how they feel. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP discuss whether talking about emotions matters and what couples can do to resolve this conflict.
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Is the preoccupied attachment style really just needy? We examine how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, focusing on preoccupied attachment. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP discuss what preoccupied attachment is, how it impacts a couple relationship, and how partner's can stay connected if one of them is preoccupied.
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Ever wondered if an avoidant partner can truly connect emotionally? We examine how childhood experiences shape adult relationships, focusing on avoidant attachment. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP discuss what avoidant attachment is, how it impacts a couple relationship, and how partner's can stay connected if one of them is avoidantly attached.
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There are three questions that parenting partners are asking one another every day. They might not be asking them directly but in their conflict, in their frustration, in their stress these are the questions that underline all of these interactions. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP tell you what the questions are and how you can your partner can answer them in the affirmative for one another.
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Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.
It's something most parenting partners feel but no one really talks about: Loneliness. That's right. Many parenting partners find themselves feeling lonely during the parenting years and it can be hard to talk about with your partner. This feeling of loneliness can also be an underlying factor for some of the stress, conflict, and hurt feelings parenting partners feel and have regarding one another. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP talk about their own experience of Loneliness as parenting partners and what you and your partner can do to address this silent issue.
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If your partner has ever been pregnant. If you have ever had a partner in the postpartum phase of parenting. If you are a parent period. You need to hear this! Being aware of the impact of pregnancy and postpartum on your partner's body matters. Even if you are beyond this phase of your parenting journey, it matters! Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP help you understand "why?" in this weeks episode.
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No one likes having the default parent conversation because it typically ends up in both partners getting frustrated and going to their separate corners. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell MACP help you understand how to have the conversation differently and in a way that will actually change your couple relationship for the better.
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Have you ever caught yourself wondering how the spark you once had with your partner could disappear so fast? Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP discuss how the "little" moments of everyday parenting life can lead to disconnection, and how these "little" moments can also be what keeps you connected.
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Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.
We hear it all the time, "My partner cares more about their job than our family." Or "My partner's job gets the best parts of them and we get what's left over at home." Work is something that happens everyday and is big source of conflict and hurt in parenting partner relationships. Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP offer a two step process for how couples can discuss work, family life, and staying connected as partners through it all.
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What do you do when you think your partner's mental health is negatively impacting your family? How do you bring it up? What if your partner dismisses your concerns? Join Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP as we shed light on the profound impact that conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and unresolved trauma can have on a family. This episode is an invitation to acknowledge, address, and approach these struggles with the compassion and awareness they deserve, ensuring that these issues don't remain in the shadows to disrupt the harmony at home.
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Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.
Every relationship faces the siege of stress, but how we navigate through this inevitable reality makes all the difference. Imagine this case example: Josh, retreating into his shell under the pressure of life's stress, leaves Lindsay spinning plates to maintain the family's harmony. Their story may sound familiar, and we're peeling back the layers to discover why Josh's withdrawal and Lindsay's increasing load brew the perfect storm of miscommunication.
Listen along as Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP guide you through the choppy waters of coping with stress and the burden it places on our partners, you'll gain insights into the silent battles that many couples face and how to navigate them with grace and understanding. -
Got a question, comment, or just want to drop some encouragement? Send us a text.
Every parenting partnership has its struggles, but when ADHD is in the mix, it's like navigating an intricate dance of dopamine, interest, and misunderstanding. Katy Weber shares her wisdom on fostering teamwork in a couple relationship impacted by ADHD and reframing ADHD as a joint adventure rather than a solitary battle.
Join Stephen Mitchell, PhD and Erin Mitchell, MACP as they talk with Katy about this unique and challenging couple dynamic and share some of their own story about being impacted by ADHD symptoms in their parenting partner relationship. - Montre plus
