Top Books for Couples After Baby
Strengthen Your Relationship While Raising a Family
At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we understand the emotional shifts that occur when two become three (or more!). Many couples find their connection stretched thin after having children—but that doesn’t mean it can’t grow stronger. In fact, with the right tools and guidance, your relationship can deepen during the parenting years.
Whether you're in the thick of sleepless nights, navigating divided responsibilities, or simply looking to feel more connected with your partner, these handpicked books offer encouragement, insight, and practical support.
But don’t stop with just the books—read to the end to see how therapy can further support your journey together.
1. And Baby Makes Three by John M. Gottman & Julie Schwartz Gottman
Why it resonates: Learn how to preserve intimacy and navigate new parenting roles with research-backed tools from the foremost experts in relationships.
🧡 Perfect for couples wanting to stay emotionally connected after baby arrives.
2. Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Why it resonates: This book helps couples rebalance the mental and physical load of parenting and household tasks—with humor and practical tools.
📚 We love integrating these concepts in couples therapy sessions focused on equity and stress reduction.
3. How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn
Why it resonates: Real talk, real solutions. This relatable, funny, and brutally honest guide is a favorite among our clients for its down-to-earth approach.
💬 Great for those feeling unseen or overwhelmed.
4. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman
Why it resonates: A foundational book for anyone wanting to strengthen communication and emotional safety.
🔗 Many of our therapy tools are rooted in the Gottman Method—ask us how we use them in session.
5. Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel
Why it resonates: A powerful, thought-provoking look at how to maintain desire in long-term relationships—especially through major life transitions like parenthood.
🔥 Struggling with intimacy postpartum? This one’s for you.
6. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Why it resonates: Simple, yet transformative. Understanding your partner’s love language can make a big difference during stressful parenting years.
💡 We often use this framework in couples counseling to build emotional connection.
7. Babyproofing Your Marriage by Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O’Neill & Julia Stone
Why it resonates: Hilarious and heartfelt, this one dives into the “invisible load” of motherhood and the tension it creates.
🤣 Expect laughs—and insights that hit close to home.
8. Marriage and Children by Patricia Love & Steven Stosny
Why it resonates: Offers real strategies for staying emotionally close in the years after becoming parents.
🤝 Want to repair emotional distance? This book, paired with counseling, can help.
9. Parenting Marriage by Alicia Drummond
Why it resonates: Encourages couples to create a supportive “village” model for parenting while prioritizing their relationship.
🏡 We love this community-based approach to marriage and parenting.
10. No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Why it resonates: While it’s technically a parenting book, its focus on emotional regulation is incredibly helpful for couples, too.
🧠 Learning to regulate emotions can improve both parenting and partnership.
Want Support Beyond the Page?
Reading is a great start—but real change happens when you apply these insights with professional guidance. At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we help couples:
Rebuild emotional and physical intimacy
Navigate resentment and miscommunication
Rebalance roles and responsibilities
Heal from birth trauma or perinatal mental health challenges
Thrive as a team while raising children
We specialize in maternal mental health and trauma-informed therapy.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
✅ Book a free 15-minute consultation
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Final Thoughts
Your marriage deserves as much love and attention as your children do. These books offer fantastic insight, but you don’t have to do this alone. Let Metro Counseling and Wellness walk with you as you rediscover your connection, strength, and joy—together.
📍Located in Minnetonka, MN | 🌿 Virtual sessions available across Minnesota
