The relationship that a wife has with her Mom or a husband has with his mom, may very well impact their marriage.  When we do not feel filled up by our parents in childhood, it is often to feel emotionally safe in our marriage. If you find that you have a difficult time believing your husband or wife when they profess their love for you, it may be a residual pain that you suffered as a child. If you find your self distancing from your spouse after you have felt particularly close, you may be stuck in a parent/child cycle.