Want a Strong Family? DON'T Put the Kids First.

We asked what advice he'd give a new dad. His answer had nothing to do with the baby.   Steve Olsher's advice for men entering fatherhood is to prioritize your wife, above the kids. It sounds backwards, especially when there's a newborn in the house who genuinely needs everything. But his reasoning is hard to argue with: the most important relationship in a family is the one between mom and dad, and when the two of you are off, the whole house feels it. He also makes an uncomfortable case that nearly every conflict traces back to one thing.   This is part of NEW DAD WEEK, five short episodes for expecting dads and dads in the first year. Free field guide for the whole week at frontrowdads.com/newdad.   IN THIS EPISODE: Why the strongest thing in your family is the relationship between the two of you What happens to couples who let the whole dynamic become about the kids The long view: one day they leave, and you're either with your best friend or a stranger Why 99 times out of 100 the fight was your fault How selfishness quietly runs most conflict, and what to do about it   Hear Steve's full conversation at frontrowdads.com/199.