For most of us moms, the much anticipated moment of meeting baby brings a sense of euphoria that is unrivaled by any other life experience. However, the delight sometimes waivers with the dawning realization of the less-than-romantic impact our little bundles of jubilation have on our marriages.

The smitten feelings we experience as we witness our husbands hold our babies may abate altogether as the perils of tireless newborn care and sleep deprivation come to light in the weeks and months after baby arrives. The experience of such disenchantment leaves many women with the sinking feeling that their marriages have become a smidge lackluster.

We all need some strategies to stay "marriage motivated" - a collection of quotes, stats, movies etc. that inspire our marriage perspectives for those inevitable times when we find ourselves thinking that, perhaps, our dear hubbies really did come from Mars after all!

Here's my marriage inspiration routine:

I review some of my favourite quotes on marriage and parenting

Here's one: "They say it takes a village to raise a child. That may be the case, but the truth is that it takes a lot of solid, stable marriages to create a village." - Diane Sollee.    

I remind myself of the well documented benefits of marriage - married people and their kids have better physical health, psychological well-being, and financial advantages.      

I watch a favourite movie - Marley & Me is a great choice. While this film gives credence to the toll that becoming parents can take on a marriage it also celebrates the growth, connection, and intimacy that couples experience when they persevere through challenging times together. 

By this point in the inspiration routine my eyes are red-rimmed from crying over the movie. However; I'm feeling re-inspired and ready to reconnect. I review this one last quote for heart-warming good measure: 

"I didn't marry you because you were perfect. I didn't even marry you because I loved you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine. Two imperfect people got married and it was the promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn't a house that protected them, and it wasn't our love that protected them - it was that promise." -Thornton Wilder, The Skin of Our Teeth   

There is nothing our children want more than to be raised in a home where the "marriage promise" is alive and inspired.