|
You and
your spouse haven’t seen the inside of a movie theater
since your kids were born. A date has been redefined as a
pediatrician’s appointment on your calendar, and dinner
usually consists of a thawed meal in the microwave or
oven. You need a special night together!
Gather three or more friends who have similar-aged
children. Offer to babysit their children for several
hours, then swap. It could be a Sunday afternoon date with
your spouse or an early evening time away. Offer to have
your friend bring his or her kids along and let them have
a fun gathering while you’re away.
Look for teenage babysitters that don’t charge a lot. I
answered an ad that hung in our local store. The
babysitter was from our town so in case of emergency, she
could easily call her parents or neighbors for help.
A date with your partner doesn’t have to cost a lot. If
a babysitter isn’t available, rent a movie to watch after
the kids are in bed. Open a bottle of your favorite wine
and watch the movie by candlelight.
Mornings before work or school can be hectic. Make
certain to maintain eye contact with your partner at least
once in the morning. My husband and I always stop whatever
we are doing, look each other in the eye, and say, “Good
Morning!” It helps remind you of what’s important and
what’s not (like the juice that is cascading down your
kitchen table that very moment!).
Go to a local farmer’s market and have your children
pick out some flowers for your partner. It involves them
in the process, and they will learn to appreciate the
relationship that you have with your partner, too. Romance
thereby gets passed on to the next generation!
Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of Diary of a Mother:
Parenting Stories and Other Stuff, is an American living
near Munich, Germany, with her husband and two children.
Visit her web site at:
http://www.diaryofamother.com
mail to: chohlbaum@smith.alumnae.net
This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine,
web site or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes
to the article and the RESOURCE BOX MUST be included.
(c) 2003 Christine Louise Hohlbaum. All Rights Reserved.
|