Too Tired to Fight: 13 Essential Conflicts Parents Must Have to Keep Their Relationship Strong

Decode the 13 conflicts that derail many couples’ communication after kids—like what you’re really saying when you fight about discipline or diapers, and how to work through tough issues together —from popular Instagram counselors Erin Mitchell, MACP, and Stephen Mitchell, PhD

Parenting changes a couple’s relationship in fundamental ways, but most parents are too exhausted from dealing with kids, work, and the demands of life to prioritize their relationship. This can lead to repeated conflict and an overwhelming sense of anxiety, anger, hurt, and even loneliness…just when you need your partner’s support the most. The good conflict is actually a sign you are striving to connect with your mate—you’re just missing the mark.

In Too Tired to Fight , parenting couple Erin and Stephen Mitchell use their over twenty years of counseling experience to walk couples through the 13 conflicts that are not just expected but necessary to keep a partnership strong once kids enter the picture, such

The “My Life Has Changed and Yours Hasn’t” Fight The “You Don’t Trust Me as a Parent” Fight The “I’m All Touched Out” Fight The “I Can’t Do Anything Right” Fight The “Whose Job Is This” Fight The “I’m So Stressed” Fight The “I’m More Tired Than You” Fight The “Where Do We Spend the Holidays” Fight The “My Way Is Right” Fight The “Should I Stay Home With the Kids” Fight The “Sex Life? What Sex Life?” Fight The “I Hate Your Family” Fight The “Why Can’t You Just Get Over It” Fight

In each scenario, they show how this conflict plays out in a family—and offer scripts, exercises, and their “fighting right” equation to transform that conflict into connection, in the moment. Their by intentionally expressing and intentionally listening to your partner—not just venting or reacting to your stress response system—you can work through the “pain points” of parenthood, together , and actually make your relationship happier and healthier as a result.