Why do so many couples deeply love each other… yet still find themselves feeling more like co-managers than connected partners after kids?

In this episode of The Clean Mom Edit, MaKenzie sits down with marriage coach and host of The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast, Michelle Purta, for an honest conversation about what really happens to a relationship after children enter the picture.

Michelle shares why marriage often gets unintentionally placed on the back burner during early motherhood, how a woman’s nervous system shifts after children, and why many couples mistake exhaustion, overstimulation, and resentment for “communication problems.”

Together, they unpack what intentional reconnection actually looks like in real life — from monthly getaways and creative connection rhythms to releasing guilt around time away from your children.

This conversation is for the couple who still loves each other but knows they need to become intentional again before resentment becomes normal.

In This Episode, We Cover

• Why couples often feel like roommates after kids
• The identity shift motherhood creates inside marriage
• How postpartum and nervous system changes affect connection
• Why marriage must return to the front burner after early parenting years
• The role of novelty, fun, and shared experiences in rebuilding intimacy
• Why time away from your children can strengthen your family
• The hidden connection between exhaustion, resentment, and conflict
• Why support systems matter for marriage health
• How to begin reconnecting when both partners feel unseen
• Why vision matters: building a future you both want

Key Takeaways

• Romance does not stay strong without intentional upkeep
• Children benefit from seeing parents prioritize connection
• Marriage is the foundation of family culture
• Communication improves when connection improves
• Small consistent deposits matter more than grand gestures
• Self-care directly impacts how you show up in marriage

Connect with Michelle Purta

🎙 Podcast: The Marriage & Motherhood Podcast
📱 Instagram: @michellepurtacoaching
🌐 Website: Michelle Purta
🎁 Free Masterclass: Creating a vision for your marriage and family

Connect with MaKenzie

Instagram: @thecleanmomedit

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