When you become a parent, life seems to become very busy very quickly. Lack of sleep and busyness with work, school, activities and care of little ones often weigh down the grownups at home. While juggling schedules and managing the household, parents must become more intentional about spending quality time with each other. Show your spouse love and appreciation with a little extra pampering this Valentine’s Day. Here are some ideas that are meaningful—but not impossible—for a busy couple.
Go to the spa
What could make your spouse feel more pampered than a day at the spa? Offer to take care of the kids and send your partner off to the salon for a day of relaxing—or get a babysitter and go as a couple. If a spa isn’t your partner’s thing, offer to take the kids while he or she spends the day doing a favorite pastime. Your spouse is sure to come home rejuvenated.
Dinner in
When our children were young, a babysitter was not in the budget. My husband and I would put the kids to bed early once a week and either get takeout or cook a special meal at home. No television, phones or electronics. Just conversation and quality time together. For busy parents, a quiet night in is a perfect way to unwind.
Date night
A date night is another great way to connect with your spouse. Plan a night on the town doing things you and your spouse enjoyed before you became parents. If hiring a babysitter isn’t an option and family is unable to help, try swapping with another couple. Watch their children for them while they enjoy a date night one weekend, and they can watch your children the next weekend while you and your spouse go out on the town.
Surprise
Let your spouse know you are thinking about him or her by sending a surprise to the workplace. Flowers are nice but also try cookies, balloons or a homemade treat. You could even mail a card with a special note to the workplace or take your spouse to lunch if schedules allow.
Do their “job”
In most relationships, responsibilities are divided up between the two people, whether intentional or not. As a way to pamper your significant other, do one of his or her “jobs” without being asked. For example, if your spouse always mows the lawn, you do it one weekend. If your spouse usually does all the grocery shopping, offer to do it one evening. Another idea is to let your partner have a “day off” when you take over all the responsibilities that day.
Leave a note
If you want to make your spouse feel special, leave love notes. Simple and sweet notes like “Thinking of you,” “I love you” or “Have a great day” will let your partner know you care. Have fun with it and try leaving notes in a coat pocket, in that favorite coffee mug, in the car or anywhere else you know will be sure to surprise.
You pick
If your marriage is anything like mine, you come to a compromise on what you would like for dinner, what movie to watch or what activity you’ll do. Give your spouse the chance to pick what you will do the whole day. There can be no complaining about the choices—just focus on doing the activities your partner enjoys doing with you.
Pick up a fave
One of my favorite ways to let my husband know I am thinking about him is to just pick up a favorite of his while I am out. If I am at the gas station, I grab his favorite drink, gum or candy. At the grocery store, I pick up his favorite ice cream or snack. I rent a movie he likes, cook his favorite meal or buy him a shirt with his favorite sports team logo. It doesn’t have to be an expensive gift, just something to let him know I was thinking of him while I was out.
The demands of parenting can leave little time for romantic dates with your spouse. This doesn’t mean that working on your marriage and making your spouse feel loved and appreciated isn’t high priority. During the busy years of parenting, try these tips to show your spouse you care and keep your marriage going strong.
Sarah Lyons and her husband, Justin, have been married for 14 years and have six children together.