6 Ways to Stay Connected to Your Partner

Ever get so focused on your children and daily going-ons, that you feel you are losing a bit of connection with your partner? I'm guilty! I mean, there really aren't enough hours in the day or night to do everything! After thirteen years of marriage I have learned a few things. Your marriage really does need to be your number one priority. Children are happier when they see they parents happy together. They learn healthy relationship by watching and modeling how their parents interact together. Children also learn to trust others and to believe in themselves by having strong parental relationships as guides. For the sake of our children, let’s make sure to keep those romantic relationships alive and thriving. You just might enjoy it yourself! Here are six steps that work for my marriage.

1. Communicate – About everything! Set aside ten minutes every day where just the two of you can share something on your mind not related to the children. Something that happened during the day or something on your heart or mind. Just keep those lines open and let your partner know you want to hear about his life too.

2. Speak Kindly - Be mindful of how you say things to your partner. Sometimes we get so caught up in being the mom, the one in charge, that we take that tone of voice with our spouse too. I don't know about you but I do not want to be my husbands mother. I want to be his equal, his friend, his love. So make sure you are showing your partner respect. How do you want your children to speak to you? Speak this way to your partner too.

3. Flirt - Don't forget to have fun with your partner!! Send a flirty text, leave a message in lipstick on the mirror (BEWARE! VERY HARD TO GET OFF). Grab his butt as he walks by! How did you flirt at the start of your relationship? Do it again! Yes, this takes a little effort but you will get in the hang of it again! Or better yet, never stop! I just discovered this app called Desire. It is basically a romantic truth or dare app that you play with your partner. You can send little dares via text and they have a certain amount of time to complete them. Fun! Fun!

4. Let them know you need them –Make a list of 10 reasons why you need your partner……..text one reason a day for 10 days. You could even write a letter. Just say it! Let your partner know that just because you could do it on your own, it doesn’t mean you want too.

5. Set a date night- You don’t have to go out to have a date. After the kids are in be turn off the t.v., the phones, and the iPads. Do something that involves eye contact and communication. How about Checkers?

6. Have sex – Say what?! Sex is one of the few things that set this relationship apart from every other relationship you have. How often are you having sex per week? Try to add at least one more time, if not more.

Some of these things may sound like so much work to had to your already busy day, but they are worth it. It's even more work to start over !

#relationships #romance #love #communication