Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you pay the small attentions that are so integral to lasting intimacy.
Day One:
Spend 15 minutes kissing. Many married couples report that the simple act of kissing is the first part of intimacy to disappear. Today, recapture the power of the smooch.
Day Two:
Today, declare a personal moratorium on criticism. Pay attention to the number of negative thoughts you have about the actions of your spouse. How critical are you? How does being critical make you feel? Even when we don't give voice to our criticism, it drains our energy and keeps us focused on negative thoughts.
Day Three:
Call, email, or write your mother-in-law (or send a simple bouquet of flowers). Let her know how grateful you are for her child.
Day Four:
Spoon.
Day Five:
Reflect on your first date with your mate, writing down as many details as you can remember. Now make plans to recreate it.
Day Six:
Spend tonight in your guest room. Pretend that you and your spouse are on a romantic vacation in a distant port.
Day Seven:
What's your spouse's favorite cookie? Bake a batch.
Day Eight:
Tape-record a love message--sexy or sentimental--on a cassette tape. Put it in your spouse's car with a Post-it note that says "Play Me."
Day Nine:
Declare today a Forgiveness Day. Are you holding a grudge, however deep, about something your mate has done or said? Get to the bottom of it today. Then work on letting it go.
Day Ten:
Assess your listening skills with your spouse. Just for today, slow down and try not to interrupt.
Day Eleven:
Write a note and stash it where you know your spouse will find it some time throughout the day. This can be as simple as a lipstick kiss on a folded napkin or as elaborate as an original poem. (For a special touch, fold a Hershey's kiss inside.)
Day Twelve:
Leave a sexy voice message on your mate's voicemail.
Day Thirteen:
List all the reasons you love your mate. For 15 minutes, just let your pen move. Don't stop to think too hard about the task. Just write. Then present your list.
Day Fourteen:
Ask the kids to write down a few of the things they love about your parenting partner. Encourage them to be as specific as possible. Write them down on slips of paper, put them in an envelope and place it on your spouse's dashboard for a heartwarming surprise.
Now spend some time creating your own 15-minute romantic gifts for one another.
Susie Cortright is the founder of momscape.com and Momscape's Scrapbooking Playground - http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking- devoted to helping visitors record and preserve their cherished memories. Susie also trains and supports new scrapbooking instructors with a new and rapidly-growing direct sales scrapbooking company. Find out how to join her team here: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking and get a steady stream of new ideas with her scrapbooking club: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking
no-contract cleaning service Glenview ..Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
Here we will come to know who are the most... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
Angie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
What is child sexual abuse? Any sexual activity that is... Read More
Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made.... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
Dear MomOn this day set aside to honour "Mother's" let... Read More
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More
From criticizing a spouse, to claming up about one's own... Read More
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
Individualism is a common thing in today's modern society. Many... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
One of the basic issues we need to understand is... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
When is a person brilliant? When does a person show... Read More
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
Child tantrums are a way for children to express their... Read More
This is the third and final article in a series... Read More
house cleaning company Glencoe ..It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
To protect children's self-esteem or deflect complaints by parents, many... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
Bi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings,... Read More
Look around: Your kids are counting sleeps until the last... Read More
Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
Here's the scene of communication with your child: your three-year-old... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
You have just received a call from your child's teacher... Read More
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
Are you being smart about water conservation? Do you consider... Read More
Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More
Once your little boy/girl goes off to school, you may... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
It's funny how people seem to think that they have... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More
Parenting |