How to Keep the Romance Alive With Kids
When life has become a whirlwind of diapers, feeding times and school runs, it is not hard to see why romance is at the bottom of most parents' to-do lists. Juggling work, looking after a home, and raising a family leaves little time for couples to wine and dine each other. However, romance does not just make happy parents, it makes for happy kids, too, says Dr. Ellen Kriedman of the Family and Marriage Counseling Directory website. Forget the grand romantic gestures; it is often the small, simple things that breathe romance back into a relationship.
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Instructions
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Grab any opportunity you can for a kiss and a hug. Showing each other affection is one way of showing your partner how you feel about her. A proper kiss should last over 10 seconds, and a hug over 20 seconds; anything less is not long enough to convey your true feelings.
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Take the time to talk to your partner. Carve at least 15 minutes out of every day to talk to each other with no distractions. Avoid talking about the children; instead, concentrate on what you have both done with your day. Show an interest, and, most importantly, listen to what he is saying to you. According to the Federal Occupational Health website, communication is not only the secret to a happy relationship, it also improves a couple's listening skills.
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Make one night a week date night. If you can't get a babysitter, make a date in your own home. Cook a meal or order take-out, light some candles, and spend a couple of hours enjoying each other's company. What you do on your date night is up to you, as long as you get to spend some time alone together.
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Be affectionate, and remember to pay your partner compliments. It is common to assume that she knows how you feel, but every once in a while telling her you love her reminds her of it. Compliments, as well as being nice to hear, let her know you still take notice of her. Being openly affectionate is not only good for a relationship, it helps make children feel secure, as well as showing them that their parents place importance on their own relationship, states Dr. Robert Billingham in an Indiana University News Room website article.
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Write him a note and leave it in his jacket pocket or lunch box. A post-it note with "I love you" written on it will mean much more than any over-the-top romantic gestures. Call him on the phone occasionally, just to let him know that you are thinking about him. He will appreciate knowing you are thinking of him, especially if you have both been too busy to talk properly.
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Tips & Warnings
While intimacy in the bedroom is not the be-all and end-all in a relationship, it is an important part of a healthy relationship and can even prolong life expectancy.
Do not force romance; it should come naturally. Forced romance is almost as bad as no romance, so ensure your heart is in it.
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