Does Your Relationship Feel Distanced? Do This.

Plus, 20 Time Saving Tips for Extremely Busy Dads [Fatherly_Seahorse]( We’ve all been there at one time or another. Something is…just a bit off in your relationship. You can feel it. No, this isn’t a lets-draw-up-the-divorce-papers scenario. But there’s a palpable sense of distance and disconnection. Maybe it’s due to a sudden change in schedules. Maybe it’s because every day feels the same and you’ve both fallen into a little bit of a funk. Maybe it’s something else entirely. Whatever the case, you’ve noticed that your relationship feels distanced and want to take some steps to close that space. Good for you. Here are a few things to try. PARENTING [7article1]( [20 Time Saving Tips for Extremely Busy Dads]( Some expert tips to help you become more efficient and [create more opportunities to be a present and engaged dad.]( [READ THE STORY]( TIPS AND TRICKS Make Like a Cartographer and Draw Maps of Daily Routines Setting concrete routines for you and your family is going to be the first big step to make sure there are no wasted moments when you’re at your busiest. The most important time to take advantage of these routines is during daily transitions: getting out of bed, getting out the door, coming back from school, and so on. “Take or draw pictures of each step as a visual reminder of the next step in the process,” says Ann DeWitt, marriage therapist and co-host of the Passport to Parenting podcast. “Kids should be involved in making and adapting the routine so they have buy-in and ownership of it. This isn’t something we impose on our kids; it is helping them to learn a great habit that will benefit them for a lifetime.” Structure is a parent’s best friend. [Here are some more time-management tips to consider implementing.]( FURTHER READING - [Social Media Steals Your Time. These Productivity Tips Will Get It Back.]( - ​​​​​[Time Boxing in the Time Management Technique Parents Need to Know]( - [How to Build an After-School Routine That Works]( WE WROTE A BOOK! [5article2]( [Be The First to Read ‘Fatherhood’]( Where’s the road map for new parents? Glad you asked! Fatherhood, by the editors of Fatherly, is a comprehensive parenting guide that walks dads through everything they need to know over the course of the first year of a baby’s life and beyond. It’s full of practical tips (everything you need), as well as work-life balance guidance (this is crucial), relationship advice (doubly crucial!), and as well as tons of expert-driven analysis that will help guide parents through a truly disorienting time. Pre-order it now and get the first copies on November 9. [BUY NOW]( RELATIONSHIPS [7article3]( [33 Small, Nice Things to Do When Your Relationship Feels Distanced]( [Time to close that space.]( [READ THE STORY]( TIPS AND TRICKS Resenting Your Partner? Take a Load Off “In stressful situations, our brain goes into ‘fight or flight’ mode. Physically sitting down allows us to recognize that we don’t want to get in a fight. You may want to walk or pace around but sitting will allow your body to slow down. Then, take long, deep breaths — inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. This will stop the production of stress hormones, especially cortisol, which is responsible for getting you fired up in the moment. Don’t text, email, or post anything on social media. Instead, talk out loud to yourself, or write your feelings down privately. Let out what’s going on in your head, but not in ways that can’t be deleted or come back to harm your relationship. And remember: Feelings are a part of what drives and connects us. They keep us safe and give us value. All emotions are valid, they just need to come out in the right way.” — Dee Johnson, addiction therapist, integrative counsellor, and CBT and Mindfulness Practitioner with Priory Group. [Feel yourself starting to resent your partner? Here are a few more things to do.]( PLAY [7article4]( [The Dad Who Wrote ‘Go the F**k to Sleep’ Reflects On a Decade of Exhaustion]( 10 years later, Adam Mansbach wants still his kids to do what he says. [Now the whole family is dropping f-bombs.]( [READ THE STORY]( TALK TO US Have a question? Comment? Want to tell us a no-good terrible story? Or a helpful parenting tip? We want to hear from you (and yes, we may publish your response in an article or forthcoming newsletter). Send your thoughts to [hello@fatherly.com](mailto:hello@fatherly.com?subject=Fatherly%20Newsletter%20Feedback). [FATHERLY_LOGO]( [FB]( [IG]( [Twitter]( [View this email in your browser]( Some Spider Studios 20 W 22nd St Floor 3 New York, NY 10010-5858 You can [manage your preferences or unsubscribe]( here. Copyright © 2021 Some Spider, All rights reserved. [Link](