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
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
Ritalin has been shown through the years to be very... Read More
Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was... Read More
Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
Having a babysitter take care of your kids is sometimes... Read More
How can two or three children in the same family... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Not all parents subscribe to the notion of "tough love,"... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
Impulsivity is one of the hallmarks of people with Attention... Read More
Bi-Polar Disorder, or Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings,... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
1. The Law of the BeastAs parents we need to... Read More
All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More
Article based on a friend's experienceI just wanted to share... Read More
4 traps to avoidTrap 1 - Parents need to realize... Read More
Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first... Read More
A certain educator was once asked at what point should... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
tidy up service Arlington Heights ..The learning and development of Australian kids is under threat... Read More
Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More
The Flow of WaterWater is essential for life on the... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
When a child wets the bed they worry. Children tend... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out... Read More
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
Any parent whose baby has suffered from colic can tell... Read More
Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More
Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
For many years underparenting was perhaps the biggest problem facing... Read More
When growing up, my father frequently reminded me to "pay... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
When my oldest boy was really young, he tickled my... Read More
I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More
Angie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept... Read More
There are several treatment options available to help improve the... Read More
Parenting |