I don't think it's shoehorned at all. The author makes it clear that marriage should come first and children second because if you lose touch with your husband/

I don't think it's shoehorned at all. The author makes it clear that marriage should come first and children second because if you lose touch with your husband/wife while focusing solely on your children you will inevitably become miserable with each other and it will rub off not only on your kids but also your marriage. I've heard the same thing from just about any married couple I know.