12 Creative Ways Parent Are Finding Alone Time in Their Busy Days
Mercy KamburaThis post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
At the heart of every relationship is intimacy, a fundamental cornerstone that holds a central role. However, with the presence of children, finding meaningful alone time with your partner can become a significant challenge. It is crucial to always remember that the bond you share with your partner predates the arrival of your children and should continue to hold a significant place of importance.
How do you make time for each other when some little hands, feet and stuffed noses constantly need you?
1. Talk to Each Other, A Lot
Effective communication is half the journey towards a fulfilling intimate life. Make time to communicate your affection needs and feelings to your partner.
Your partner may be your soulmate, but they can’t read your mind. Talking takes assumptions out of the way and helps you understand each other. If the kids are old enough, talk to them too about your need to be alone together without divulging too much.
2. Partner Before Chores
Running a home can feel like kayaking in the Kern River, chores hitting you like angry rapids. There’s always something needing to be washed or fixed or picked from soccer practice. It’s very possible to lose your partner under the stack of unfolded laundry.
Make a deliberate choice to put your partner’s needs before the infinite household chores. Leave the unarranged closets and go for the dinner they’ve been asking for.
3. Have a Private Moment Together
Privacy can sound like an alien word when you have company even during bathroom breaks. And this is why you have to be deliberate about getting out of the house for a little mommy and daddy time.
I know you think no one can watch your babies better than you, but you need help once in a while. Get a babysitter or drop the kids off with grandma, and have an interrupted lunch or dinner. Avoid talking about the kids on your special time together, it’s grown-up time.
4. Get Noiseless Furniture
By furniture, I mean the bed.
Few things will kill the mood like having your bed squeak while your kids are (pretending to be) sleeping a few meters away from you.
Your bedroom is your sanctuary; protect its sanctity by screwing your bed a little tighter and moving it away from the wall.
5. Fix the Locks on Your Door
Getting busted by your kids in the middle of manufacturing their sibling is mortifying, and it’ll probably keep you celibate for several months as you find your face again.
Kids don’t knock, and only the very few occasions when they do, they don’t wait to be let in. If your door’s locks are working, ensure they’re always locked if things are likely to get steamy.
If they aren’t working, get them working, or your intimacy will never work.
6. Minimise Sounds
As kids grow older, they start understanding what some sounds mean, and they get embarrassed by it. As a parent, the fear of damaging your kids with “unwelcome” soundtracks from your room is a valid fear.
Have a white noise machine to muffle sounds or play a white noise from your room to keep noises out of kids’ ears. If you can, soundproof your bedroom.
It’s probably time to consider that your loudly moaning days are over, especially when the kids are in the house. Keep things on the quiet side. The point is to have a good time with your spouse, not traumatize the kids to therapy.
7. Make Physical Touch the Norm
When you have babies regularly needing little hugs and help cleaning booboos, touching each other in non-sexual ways can be forgotten. Each of you must still feel they’re seen and still loved, and a quick hug, touch, peck, or even spank goes a long way.
8. Teamwork
Having time for your partner has to be a product of working in unison. Let each person know what the other is uncomfortable with and work towards creating an environment that sets both of you at ease.
Plan together for what you want to do so you’re on the same page about your plans and desires. If you’re working in disharmony, it will be like reading from two different books altogether.
9. Be Deliberate
You have to be deliberate about your resolve to cultivate physical intimacy. There are enough things to overthrow the planned special moments that seem important. Making time for your partner will not happen by chance overnight like a mushroom. Gone are the days of spontaneity (for the most part).
It has to be planned and executed. Schedule the things you plan to do and do them; no backlogs.
10. Creativity is the Name of the Game
Chances are very high that what you’re used to will not fly. Being open to new things will help a great deal. If the master bedroom isn’t ideal for a little “family business,” check the nearest empty safe room.
Any lockable room is ideal for a quick “get together” before the kid passed out in your room wakes up.
11. Appreciate Little Achievements
It’s probably not going to be the honeymoon all over again. Breakfast in bed and an hour in the bathtub with the afternoon open for you is coming once the lastborn goes to college. However, appreciate the little getaways you make for yourself and your partner, even the special time in the laundry room before the kids get wiser.
Left to chance, intimacy will be considered less urgent or even important. Make time.
12. Take Turns Planning Dates
Alternate planning surprise activities or outings, ensuring each person gets a chance to surprise the other. This’ll keep it fun and exciting.
30 Birth Stories That Labor Can Have Its Hilarious Moments
Are you prepared for a bit of humor? Childbirth, while undeniably gratifying, can also be an arduous and occasionally painful process. With the physical discomfort, emotional roller coasters, and the multitude of choices to be made, it’s hardly astonishing that countless mothers and fathers discover themselves in hilariously awkward scenarios during delivery!
30 Birth Stories That Labor Can Have Its Hilarious Moments
30 Ridiculous Baby Names That Will Be Mispronounced for the Rest of a Child’s Life
Choosing a name for a newborn is a weighty responsibility for new parents, as it wields a profound influence on a child’s identity. Yet, what unfolds when the selected name emerges as undeniably cringe-worthy? Some parents go to great lengths to deviate from tradition, occasionally venturing into the domain of bewilderment, which leaves others puzzled and scratching their heads.
30 Ridiculous Baby Names That Will Be Mispronounced for the Rest of a Child’s Life
15 Foods That Fight Nausea During Pregnancy
Since you found out you were pregnant, you’ve been doing your best to get high-quality nutrients. However, morning sickness can put your dietary routine on standby. Try these foods that fight nausea during pregnancy to reduce your discomfort, and talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns before switching to new foods.
15 Foods That Fight Nausea During Pregnancy
Spicy Pickles and PBJ: 15 Women Share Their Weirdest Pregnancy Cravings
Pregnancy cravings typically begin in the first trimester around the 4 to 6-week mark. Let’s dive into some of the strongest and strangest cravings that women report having.
Spicy Pickles and PBJ: 15 Women Share Their Weirdest Pregnancy Cravings
70 Early Signs of Pregnancy
Most pregnancy tests can show accurate results only on the day of your missed period. And many tests recommend waiting at least 2 days after your missed period for the most accurate results (to avoid those potentially disappointing false negatives!).
JayDee Vykoukal
