"I have a 2-year old son and he prefers his daddy to me," says Mary Wilson, a frustrated mom who is in tears over this rejection. "We can be having the best time -- we can be laughing, we can be reading, but when my husband walks through that door it's over -- no more mommy." And, it's putting her husband Stephen in an awkward position. "We have a great time when we're together, but at the same time I don't like the fact that it's at her expense," he says.

Mary left her teaching career to raise her son and is starting to resent that choice as her toddler gives her the cold shoulder. "I gave up a job that I really love to have Robby as my job and he doesn't seem to appreciate it." So what can they do? Rachael enlists child psychiatrist Dr. Charles Sophy who says it's time for this couple to reassess their parenting style. "You guys need to sit down and have a nice clear discussion about whose going to parent, how you're going to discipline," he explains. "Dad needs to do some of that grunt work ... because Robby needs to see that dad can do all and you can do all."

And, you don't have to be a mom to feel like a third wheel in a relationship. Dr. Sophy says the path to fixing this balance of power starts by looking at your own life, and offers five steps you can use to get started.

1. Sleep: Are you getting enough sleep and is it restful?

2. Nutrition: Are you eating regularly and are you choosing healthy meals?

3. Career: Are you happy with your job? Or, if you stay at home is this truly the right choice for you?
   

4. Play time: Are you replenishing yourself? Are you taking time for your friends and hobbies?

5. Intimacy: Are you and your husband as intimate as you were before you had the baby? If you're not married are you dating, and if you are not are you OK with that choice?

"That's a rough one," Rachael says in response to these steps, "it's being very self-effacing!" Dr. Sophy agrees but says this is good way to start to find more balance in your life.

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Dr. Sophy