A Deeper Meaning of Family

"The most important thing that any parent can give their children is the example of loving relationship." — Michelle

After having their first baby, Brice and Michelle found their lives getting busier and busier. Michelle soon began juggling an exhausting schedule of work, child care, and time with her husband, and Brice's job kept him working out of town, and. "I was a part-time parent," Brice laments. "It was very hard for me to be on the road and hear things like 'Sidney took her first step.' It left an empty feeling inside of me."

Before long, Brice and Michelle realized they were on the wrong track. One night, they had a heart-to-heart talk about bringing their family closer. They committed to keeping God first, making their lives simple, and to having fun. Brice and Michelle also realized that to meet these goals, they'd have to make changes. Now Michelle works from home, and Brice took a new job only five minutes away.

Michelle says that communication keeps their marriage strong. "Now that we're living the lives that we want to live, we still need to touch base with each other daily," she explains. They've even developed a lighthearted way to settle disagreements: they play a quick game of basketball, and whoever makes the first basket "wins" the argument. "It's a way to keep things simple, and it's fun," Brice says.

Michelle and Brice set examples for their two daughters by taking care of each other. "It nurtures their spirit," Michelle says-and the spirit of the family, too.

From the show Dr. Phil: Help! Our Baby Is Ruining Our Marriage

E-mail to a Friend