Making Time For Your Partner
Do you
feel like you haven't been spending enough
quality time with your better half?
Sometimes
it's hard to find time alone even though you live under the same
roof. Families, work and kids all get in the way.
You feel the need to kick back and enjoy with your hubby, just
like you did in the good old days.
Now you have a new baby, life
becomes busier, you're exhausted and have less time to spend
with your partner. It's normal for your new baby to take
first place for at least the first year or so, putting your
relationship with your partner on a back burner.
Often a new dad
feels a little left out
as his sweetie, now a new mother, gets swept up in the care and
needs of the new baby. After some time, when life feels
like it's settled into a routine, you'll find that you and your
partner can forge a new kind of intimacy and closeness.
It is very important for you both to have quality time
together, this will strengthen your relationship and make for a
happier family life. Carving out time for you and your
partner on a daily or weekly basis is a great place to start and
by getting some moments just to be together you'll feel more
connected and in touch.
Here are a few suggestions for ways
to get some special time and what to do with your loved one:
Arrange for a
babysitter...
If cost is an issue or if you'd just feel more
comfortable leaving your baby with someone you know
ask a family member or friend to take over for a few
hours.
And remember, it doesn't have to be a full-fledged
night on the town: The goal is simply to get some
time alone with each other. You can take a
walk, grab a bite to eat, go to the movies, or just
take a long bubble bath together.
Seize
the moment...
If you don't want a babysitter or can't find one
then grab a time when your baby has settled down for
the night or at least for a few hours and seize the
moment. Resist collapsing on the couch and
switching on the TV or slouching off to finish work.
Sit together for some face-to-face time.
Focusing on each other for as little as ten minutes
can make a huge difference. All too often, new
parents can forget even to make eye contact with
each other.
Spend
quality time...
You don't have to wait for the sun to go down to
spend quality time with each other. For instance,
you can commute to work together or grab lunch once
a week. It's surprising how relaxing conversation
can become when you're meeting in the middle of the
day and there's no baby or chores to worry about.
Buy
tickets...
If you are sports or music fans you could buy
concert or season tickets. Having already paid
for seats to a concert, play, or sporting event,
you'll feel committed to going. To cut the
cost, split season tickets and babysitting fees with
another couple with a baby, this will be time spent
together enjoying a common interest.
Make
it fun...
Do tasks and chores together to cut the time you
spend on them and to share an activity. Make
them fun, this is a great time to talk, joke and
laugh to get reconnected.
Make a
weekend really a weekend...
Treat weekends like weekends! Break the 'stuck
in a rut' habit. Pack the
diaper bag,
get out the stroller
or a
backpack,
and enjoy a weekend activity as a family.
Malls, parks, and outdoor events are all
baby-friendly.
Make
up some new rituals...
Take a walk together every evening with your baby.
Everyone benefits from the exercise and fresh air,
and you and your partner can reconnect at the end of
the day.
Play games...
Play games together. Games are a great way to
laugh and have fun, so dust off the backgammon set,
deck of cards, or the Scrabble board. Or do
the Sunday crossword or Sudoku puzzle together as
you snuggle on the couch.
And
Finally...
It's easy for new parents to get caught up in being
new parents, and forget to take time for themselves.
But it's hard to give yourself entirely to someone
else if you never have any time alone.
Make sure to carve out at least a few moments of "me
time" each day to regroup listen to your favorite
CD, take a walk around the block, or call a friend.
Remember, a happy parent makes for a happier
relationship and a happier baby.
Sometimes
it's hard to find time alone even though you live under the same
roof. Families, work and kids all get in the way.
You feel the need to kick back and enjoy with your hubby, just
like you did in the good old days.
The
