“True Romance For Couples With Kids”
Free toddlers activity & Parent Child Development guide parenting article

Description: Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey bottle of perfume, but it takes creativity, forethought, and time to be truly romantic. Here are 10 ideas to get you started...

In my marriage, some of the most memorable evenings have also been the least expensive. Sure, I have enjoyed the bouquets and the boxes of chocolate, but it is the folk music in the ski lodge, the sips of Chardonnay on our summer porch swing, and the nights spent reading in bed, side by side, that really stand out.

The key lies in personalizing your celebration. Here are ten ideas to fuel your own creativity:

1. Empty a box of chocolate (either into your mouth or onto a plate...) Then cut out 50 to 100 hearts from lace doilies, construction paper, or fabric. On each cutout, record something about him that you love. Be specific, "The way you smell when you come to bed at night," "The way you take care of me when I’m sick," or simply "Your recipe for pancakes."

Another variation: Write down 100 cherished memories of your life together. Fold the cutouts, place them in the chocolate box, and top with a red satin bow. The time you spend coming up with these ideas will contribute to your own romantic mood, and what he thinks is a plain box of chocolates will be a gift he’ll keep close to his heart forever. And you can add to the box each year.

2. Build a romantic fire. Before the kids go to bed, have fun roasting marshmallows. After their lights are out, host your own indoor picnic, complete with a bottle of wine and chocolate-covered strawberries.

3. Recreate your first date together. What were you wearing? Where did you go? Do you remember what you talked about? Spend the evening reminiscing and reflecting on how far you’ve come as a couple.

4. Spoon all night.

5. Choose a book in which you are both interested, fiction or nonfiction. Read a new chapter each night before bed. This cozy tradition will allow you to spend some quality time together and often makes for thought-provoking breakfast conversations.

6. Make a tape of the songs special to your relationship. Include "your song," songs from your wedding, songs from favorite movies. Add a personal voice dedication and leave it in his briefcase, Walkman, or car stereo.

7. Turn off the TV.

8. Kidnap your husband. Arrange for a babysitter for a few hour--or a few days. A friend of mine had a lot of success with this one. She knew her husband had always wanted to get married in Vegas, but he had agreed to a large, formal ceremony hosted by her family. So, after they had been married 10 years, she surprised him at work with a packed suitcase. They caught an evening flight and renewed their vows before an Elvis impersonator in a Vegas chapel. Years later, they’re still talking about it.

9. This one requires a babysitter, too. Next time you’re visiting your parents or in-laws, leave the kids with their grandparents and travel to another town, where no one will recognize you. Check into a hotel or B&B. Dress like another woman. Act like another woman. It’s fun to slip into another persona from time to time.

10. Have a scavenger hunt. Write a few poems, wrap candy kisses inside, and hide them around the house. Each poem should be a clue to finding the next one. Make sure the final clue lands your man someplace you want to end up for the entire evening. A romance package, including a bottle of champagne and new lingerie, is a nice touch.

Create a memory this Valentine's Day, not with your pocketbook but with your imagination.

Copyright 2003 Susie Cortright

Susie Michelle Cortright is the author of More Energy for Moms and Rekindling Your Romance After Kids, as well as the Soul Snacks booklet series, featuring creative ways to nurture yourself and your family in 15 minutes or less. Each of these publications is available through Momscape.com, a website devoted to helping women celebrate and embrace their diverse roles: http://www.momscape.com

This free toddlers activity and Parent Child Development guide site has articles for positive parenting skills, social skills training for child, positive parenting tips for Toddler Separation Anxiety and childhood depression, parenting advice about childhood anxiety, Child & Divorce, child self esteem, kids sleep problems, including free child development toddlers activity and Parent Child Development resources.

What toddlers activity or child discipline
parent resources are you looking for?
Try a local search of our site for your answers

	Web www.free-toddlers-activity-and-discipline-guide.com

This free toddlers activity and Parent Child Development guide site has articles for positive parenting skills, social skills training for child, positive parenting tips for Toddler Separation Anxiety and childhood depression, parenting advice about childhood anxiety, Child & Divorce, child self esteem, kids sleep problems, including free child development toddlers activity and Parent Child Development resources.

================================================================
DISCLAIMER: The free toddlers activity and child discipline guide site resources on this site are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy. Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations is unintentional. This free toddlers activity and discipline guide site resources website and its creators are not responsible for the content of any sites linked to.

The free toddlers activity and child discipline guide site resources contents are solely the opinion of the authors and should not be considered as a form of advice, direction and/or recommendation of any kind. If expert advice or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought. The author and the Publisher assume no responsibility or liability and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied for any products or services mentioned, or any techniques or practices described. The purchaser or reader of this publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Neither the author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any purchaser or reader of these materials.

This free toddlers activity and Parent Child Development guide site has articles about True Romance For Couples With Kids for positive parenting skills, social skills training for child, positive parenting tips for Toddler Separation Anxiety and childhood depression, parenting advice about childhood anxiety, Child & Divorce, child self esteem, kids sleep problems, including free child development toddlers activity and Parent Child Development resources, strategies for fussy eaters, including free child development parenting resources for parents who want True Romance For Couples With Kids parent tips.

This free toddlers activity and child discipline guide site article links include True Romance For Couples With Kids Parent Magazine, Child Development, toddler discipline, discipline for kids, Child Development, Child & Divorce, Toddler Separation Anxiety, childhood depression, childhood anxiety, child self esteem, social skills training for child, parenting skills, parenting advice, inspiring parenting & childhood famous quotes, True Romance For Couples With Kids, parenting toddler time out techniques, early childhood child behavior problem parenting tips with free behavior chart, toddlers arts & crafts, toddlers songs. This free toddlers activity and Parent Child Development guide site has articles about True Romance For Couples With Kids for positive parenting skills, social skills training for child, positive parenting tips for Toddler Separation Anxiety and childhood depression, parenting advice about childhood anxiety, Child & Divorce, child self esteem, kids sleep problems, including free child development toddlers activity and Parent Child Development resources..
================================================================