Originally published in the New York Times, February 5, 2009, p. 27
"More than 25 separate studies have established that marital quality drops, often quite steeply, after the transition to parenthood." But does the arrival of children doom couples to a less satisfying marriage? Not necessarily. But keeping a marriage vibrant is a never-ending job.
If parents want tips as to how to make a marriage "vibrant," click here to read Stephanie's article, But here's a hint. As Stephanie points out, "Children don't want to spend as much time with their parents as parents assume; they just want their parents to be more relaxed when they are together."
Stephanie Coontz, a professor of history at Evergreen State College and the director of research at the Council on Contemporary Families, is the author of "Marriage: A History."