10 Ways to Stay Close After Your Baby Arrives (6 of 6)

10. Don’t Forget to Laugh

Laughter heals. It diffuses tension and brings levity to heavy moments. Make room for silliness—watch a goofy show, share a ridiculous meme, retell a funny story from early dating days. Even five minutes of playfulness can soften the hard edges of the day and help you reconnect with the joy that brought you here in the first place.

Parenthood will stretch you in ways you never imagined. But it can also deepen your love, sharpen your communication, and make your connection more resilient. Staying close in the midst of the chaos doesn’t mean pretending it’s easy—it means showing up for each other, again and again, with empathy, humor, and intention.