How Parenthood Changes Your Marriage

Becoming parents changes everything—including your marriage. In this episode, Brittanie explores how couples often shift into survival mode after kids and what it takes to protect connection during the parenting years.

You’ll hear encouragement around shared responsibility, emotional connection, and why investing in your marriage is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

To download the Marriage Maintenance for Parents Worksheet, please click here.

To learn more about couples counseling with Brittanie, or to schedule a free 15 minute consultation, please visit her website at www.mustardseedchristiancounseling.com

For more mental health & marriage tips, please check out the Mustard Seed Counseling Blog by clicking here.

The early years of marriage can be surprising, stretching, and confusing—even when you’re deeply committed. In this episode, Brittanie talks about the transition from wedding vows to everyday life, including unmet expectations, conflict styles, and learning how to grow together instead of drifting apart. She provides Scriptural support and examples.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal?”—this conversation is for you.

If you'd like a copy of the "Early Marriage Transitions" Worksheet, mentioned in today's episode, click here.

To learn more about your podcast host, Brittanie Mills, or to schedule a free 15 minute counseling consultation, please visit her website at www.mustardseedchristiancounseling.com. You can also visit her website to listen to previous episodes of this podcast, just click on the Podcasts tab at the top of the page.

For mor mental health & marriage tips, please check out the Mustard Seed Counseling Blog by clicking here.

Marriage is made up of seasons. Some we celebrate. Some we endure. And some we don’t see coming at all.

In this 7-part series, Marriage Transitions: Navigating the Seasons Together, we’re talking about the life changes that can quietly reshape a marriage—like the empty nest, shifting roles, loss, health challenges, and redefining what “us” looks like in a new season.

Through a therapist’s lens and a foundation of faith, each episode offers biblical encouragement, practical tools, and gentle guidance to help you move through change together—rather than drifting apart.

If your marriage feels unsettled, stretched, or simply different than it used to, this series is for you. Because transitions aren’t the end of your story—they’re an invitation to plant new seeds.

And remember, even faith the size of a mustard seed can grow something strong.

Marriage Transitions: Navigating the Seasons Together Episode 1: The Empty Nest—Now What?

The kids are grown. The house is quieter. The calendar suddenly has space—and now it’s just the two of you.

In this first episode of our 7-part series on marriage transitions, we’re talking about one of the most emotionally complex seasons couples face: the empty nest. This season often brings a mix of pride, grief, relief, excitement, and uncertainty—and all of it is normal.

Together, we’ll explore how to grieve and celebrate this transition, reclaim your time and identity after years of parenting, rediscover individual and shared interests, and intentionally turn back toward your spouse. We’ll talk about dreaming together again, rebuilding emotional and physical intimacy, and learning to truly know one another in this new stage of marriage.

Most importantly, this episode reframes the empty nest not as an ending—but as a God-given invitation to reinvest, reconnect, and grow. With Scripture, practical encouragement, and gentle guidance, you’ll be reminded that even small steps—faith the size of a mustard seed—can lead to deep renewal in your marriage.

If you’re asking, “Empty nest… now what?”—this episode is for you.

👉 Download the Empty Nest Reset Guide for reflection questions, connection exercises, Scripture study, and a one-month reconnection challenge.