Keeping The Romance Alive As New Parents
By Andreas Wilson-Späth
Your life will be flipped on its head once baby turns you from a loving couple into a sleep-deprived threesome. While almost all of the changes will be utterly amazing, there are some challenges, most prominent among them the fact that your love life is likely to take a backseat.
While spontaneous nights on the town, romantic dinners and lazy weekend mornings of snuggling in bed were key features of your life before The Arrival, everything now seems to revolve around sleep: getting mini-you to nap and catching enough shut-eye yourself to emerge, at least temporarily, from the Zombie-like state that appears to have become the new normal.
Romance may feel like a distant and irretrievable memory. But don’t give up – spending dedicated one-on-one time with your partner is vital for sustaining your relationship in the long run.
Here are six tips to keep the passion alive after baby has entered the fray:
1. Communicate
Never stop sharing your thoughts, worries and dreams with one another. Talk about the changes in your partnership, redefine your expectations and, above all, be patient, caring and understanding. For many parents, especially new mothers, loneliness and depression can be a major problem, making it especially important to keep communicating with each other.2. Don't Stop Flirting
A few well-placed, flirty words – via email, text message, social media or ‘Post-it’ notes – will go a long way towards letting your other half know that they’re always on your mind.3. Take Some Time Off Baby
Once your little one is a bit older, it’s important that you spend time alone with your partner. Ask a trusted family member to babysit for a few hours and take in the latest movie, go dancing or have a romantic dinner at your favourite restaurant.4. Perfect The Home-Date
If getting a babysitter on a regular basis is tricky, orchestrate special occasions at home. Cook together and organise a candle-lit meal for when baby has settled down for the evening, watch your favourite movie or play a board game for two.5. Little Gestures That Matter
When looking after your new-born is your most important priority, being mindful of small, but meaningful things takes on a special significance. Take a moment to compliment your partner on how cute or handsome they look, hold hands when you’re out walking baby and thank them for being so amazing. These tiny, daily gestures will bring you closer together.6. Steal A Few Precious Moments
Time is the most valuable currency for parents of small children. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to come by in long instalments. That’s why you need to become experts at mini-dating. Learn to spend quality 15-minute breaks together when there’s a peaceful period in junior’s unpredictable sleeping schedule. Instead of a fleeting peck on the cheek, take ten seconds for a proper smooch on the lips. Cuddle on the couch, have a quiet chat over a cup of coffee or hop into a steamy shower à deux for 'water saving' purposes.
If you're not a member of Woolworths Littleworld yet? Why not find out about the benefits?