This weekend, my husband and I will spend one night together without children for the first time in almost one year. Needless to say, our staycation is much anticipated and long overdue. As parents to two small children, our life is busy. Add in the fact that both my husband and I work in fields with demanding hours and erratic schedules and it’s easy to put our relationship on the back burner. Ironically, during this busy time in our lives, we should be doing the opposite…making time for each other…prioritizing our relationship.
Last week, I spent some time listening to author and television host Patti Stanger discuss some simple tips and switches that make a difference in relationships. If you’ve been married for some time or you’ve experienced a life change, you may not be spending as much time or effort on your relationship. But just like any relationship, it requires nurturing to thrive. Here are Patti’s top five switches that can make a difference in your relationship:
Surprise your partner: It’s so easy to get complacent. Even if you’re on a tight budget, make your home a “hotel” by getting some rose petals, champagne, and chocolate to refresh your space. Don’t neglect the importance of date night. If you have children, you can have date night once the kids go to sleep.
Get Active: Find one active thing you each like to do and do it together. Couples who are active feel more in love.
Get Out of the House: Explore your city. Create a wish list of places you’d like to see and visit when you have time.
Upgrade: Once in awhile splurge. Save up for a special dinner or a weekend away. Most importantly, have fun together.
Refresh Your Space: Take inventory of your home and find ways to change it up.
Patti has partnered with Cottonelle for their “Make the Ultra Switch” sweepstakes. Each day through May 1st, you can enter to win one of 90 daily prizes including luxury bedding, couples massages, dance lessons for two, a digital camera and more. If you’d like to enter, I have some VIP codes you can use (they can be used by multiple people).
VIP4SWITCH
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With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, I thought I’d share some of her tips on making the day special.
Look for opportunities to compliment your partner: Too often, couples take each other for granted. Comments like, “You look beautiful” or “You look handsome” will help reignite the spark in your relationship.
If you’re having an important discussion with your partner, don’t be worried or off-put by silent moments during the conversation: Men process information differently than women.
Travel together: My husband and I found that we grew closest during our 8 months backpacking and traveling in Europe.
Pamper each other: Ideas include roses, chocolate, champagne, bubble baths, and massages.
Leave love notes.
How do you and your spouse manage to make time for each other and preserve the importance of your relationship, particularly if you have children? What do you and your partner have planned for the upcoming weekend?
No compensation was received for this post.
Photo Credit: Michael Simon. All rights reserved.
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Valentine’s Day is over but here are 5 things you can do to spice up your love life, http://www.cottenkandi.com/2011/02/14/5-things-to-spice-up-your-valentines-day/
After throwing kids into the mix, it is a lot more difficult to connect with my husband. Time flies by and the days are over and suddenly, I realized that all my attention has been focused on the girls. We have been making a conscious effort to spend time together, alone. Those are some wonderful tips, thanks for sharing!