Dad-O-matic is focused on dads and the family and once in a while that means addressing the subject matter of the relationship between fathers with mothers. After all, they are partners in the business of raising children, right? Too often we parents are so busy working on all of the details involved with taking care of the kids that our personal relationship gets lost in the shuffle. The drifting apart syndrome is rampant in this country which is why it’s critical that we make the time to remind each other why we fell in love in the first place and started a family.

There are many ways to rekindle that spark, such as implementing date nights or doing little things you used to do before you had kids. Go through old photos and videos of your courtship days to see if that elicits some smiles and hopefully kisses and perhaps some tears. The key is to acknowledge the change and vow to do something positive about it. No one talks about it except on TV after relationships have gone in the toilet and they become freak shows for all to watch. It doesn’t have to get to that point. We just need to remember what made us fall in love with our partner in the first place. Those traits and qualities never truly go away because they are usually part of their core being. What goes away and changes is the way we think about them. Reminders are a wonderful way to re-introduce yourselves to your better half.

Here’s a beautiful song from Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood called REMIND ME that captures the pain that couples endure when they realize something has changed.

photo credit: Pitel