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
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
As I sit here and reflect on the past two... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at... Read More
The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges... Read More
When your child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's... Read More
My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when... Read More
Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that... Read More
Child tantrums are a way for children to express their... Read More
Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment... Read More
The initial state of happiness about an own child is... Read More
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More
1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Some public schools try to turn children against their parents... Read More
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
How often do you think of family life as an... Read More
Nanny 911 Interview with Montel WilliamsI saw an interview with... Read More
Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More
We are all familiar with the stories that most students... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
Recently, a parent came to me, conflicted over whether to... Read More
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the phrase that is... Read More
Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen... Read More
You may remember The Red Couch Project, a book by... Read More
Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This... Read More
Here's the scene of communication with your child: your three-year-old... Read More
It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More
Corolle Paul or Emma Drink-and-Wet SET potty dollsThis is the... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
Even though the "Stop and Think" movement in ADHD treatment... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More
Most teens go into the work world ill-prepared to manage... Read More
Younger generations unfortunately will not understand how larger than life... Read More
Q. How do I overcome the 16-year-old who does things... Read More
Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD.... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
Parenting |