In my 3rd article, I discuss tips on how to bring romance back to a relationship after kids come into the picture. As any parent can attest, it ain’t easy to find the time or energy for intimacy. But what is easy is losing a connection with your partner when children become the main focus and priority. This article is about making the time to prioritize your relationship, especially when it seems like there is no time to spare.

Read the article in full on the TBwaP website or scroll down to read more:

Raising a family is one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences a couple can go through together. However, once a child is introduced into a relationship, romance and intimacy are often put on the back-burner. Gone are the days of random romantic dinners, last-minute getaways, and lazy days cuddling on the couch watching a movie. But having children does not mean that romance must die, but you may need to change how you define it!

• Romance starts with kindness and caring. Saying “I love you” to each other is important, but it’s even more important to show it often with your behavior and actions.  Whether it means making that first cup of coffee in the morning for your husband or letting your wife sleep in after a 3 AM breastfeeding, these little things add up quickly and show your partner that you care.

• Couples will inevitably disagree at times and co-parenting together can often bring a difference of opinion. Just remember to treat each other kindly and with respect, especially during a disagreement or argument in front of your children.

• Compliment your partner and let him or her know that they are attractive to you. Give your partner other positive feedback beyond their looks, like when they do a great job with dinner, pick up groceries, take the dry cleaning in without asking, or manage to keep the house clean while watching the kids for a few hours.

• Dividing up responsibilities (chores, taking care of the children) gives you more time for each other. For example, one parent cooks dinner while the other does the dishes. One parent bathes the children while the other reads bedtime stories. Sharing responsibilities in a way that both parents find fair is more efficient and alleviates the possibility of resentment towards each other.

• Keep the kids on a bedtime schedule.  Take their bedtime as an opportunity to spend time with your partner. If the children are in bed by 9pm, take a few minutes to finish up any e-mails or personal things and then turn off the phone and computer. The chores can wait too- take that uninterrupted time to your advantage. Watch a TV show or movie together, play a board game, or just talk.

• Go to bed at the same time and try to avoid conflict and arguments before you go to sleep. Your bedroom should be a room for calm and peace; a sanctuary away from the busy life you and your partner lead during the day. Keep your bedroom free from distractions (no TV or computers!) and fill it with only pleasant conversation and intimacy.

• Don’t fret over a dwindling sex-life. It’s typical of long-term couples, and being intimate doesn’t only mean sex. Being intimate also means rubbing your partner’s shoulders after a long day, stroking their hair, holding hands, hugging, kissing, teasing each other and laughing, sending flirty texts or e-mails, or leaving sweet notes in a purse or briefcase. If you want to improve your sex life, show more affection. If you feel like you’re not getting enough affection from your partner, speak up and share those feelings and desires.

• If you’re having trouble feeling romantic towards your partner, look back to when you first started dating. What was your 1st, 2nd, or 5th date like for you? What kinds of feelings did you have when your first met? What attracted you to your partner? The longer the relationship and the more stresses applied to it (like children), the more complacent one becomes, so once in a while you may need to reconnect with what brought you together in the first place.

Did I miss anything? Please comment if you have any suggestions or tips of your own!

The lovely ladies behind the website asked me to contribute an article about preparing your preschooler or kindergartner for the first day of school. As a mom to a toddler that will start preschool in a matter of a few months, I felt more than compelled to write about this topic. These prepping tips are something that I will be doing soon as well.

If you have a child starting preschool or kindergarten soon, please check out my article for a few helpful tips! If you have any other suggestions or tips, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.

I was introduced to this fabulous website earlier this year and was so impressed with their helpful tips for mamas and mamas-to-be that I wrote a blog post about it. TBWaP has quickly become one of my favorite resources for parenting and lifestyle topics.

I am clearly a big fan, so it was an honor when they asked me to contribute an article. It’s up on the website now, so check it out! And while you’re there, make sure to sign up for their daily newsletter.

www.tightbodwithapod.com

I’ve quickly become a fan of a brand new website for women, by women:

Tight Bod With A Pod

Tight Bod with a Pod (TBwaP) is a free daily newsletter about healthy tips for pre/post-natal moms, including fitness and exercise regimens, healthy recipes, and other healthy lifestyle topics. It’s like having your own personal trainer and chef at home. OK, not quite…but it’s as close to it as most of us are going to get!

I think most mamas can relate when I say it’s hard to find the time (and energy!) to lead a very active and fit lifestyle. I’m lucky to squeeze in a few runs or workout DVD’s every week. However, I’m always looking for good exercise tips that I can do at home and healthy recipes that can satisfy my cravings without costing me too many calories (think flour-less chocolate cake and a hot white-chocolate drink!). They had me at *chocolate.*

I signed up for TBwaP only a few weeks ago and I’ve already learned some great tips for both of my fitness-challenged issues. It’s not just about exercises and recipes though. I’ve also learned about some great products for babies and mamas as well as adorable and fun craft projects.

Sign up for their newsletter and check it out for yourself!