KEEPING YOUR MARRIAGE ALIVE

Keeping your marriage alive
By Meenakshi Shankar
Marriage is something that most of us end up taking for granted. Little of course, realizing the institution needs a lot of work. I still remember before I had kids, we actually went to bed at the same time every night. We spoke about our respective jobs - trivial details which made up our evenings so special. Those little touches, the warm fire beneath those feathery touches made up for a romantic evening.

But all that changed after the baby came along. We just moved into the Phase II of our relationship. There were many nights one of us would take the night shift while the other one slept. As the kids got older, I would sometimes use the after-bedtime hours as my office hours. Wise men/women said "Romance can be challenging when you have children". And I couldn't help but agree.

I recently read an article in which a woman of young children said that sex no longer existed for her and her husband. The truth of the matter is, if a husband and wife don't try to keep the fires burning in their marriage, the stress and demands of having children can sap every scrap of energy until there's nothing left for romance. While being a mother is one of the most important things you'll ever do, having a solid and thrilling marriage is just as important. Kids who see their parents madly in love are more likely to grow up and have strong marriages themselves.

Small things go a long into making your marriage click:

Before going to bed, make sure that you chat with your partner about his/her work or how was his/her day.

Reminisce the times you had and try to re-live it.

Go out on a date once awhile without your kids.

Try to remember or do the things you used to do for your partner.

Be more open to your partners needs and feelings.

Live each day as if it is your last, in that way you would make an effort of being sweeter to your partner.

Spend less time watching the TV on your own, instead spend time with each other.

Give something to your partner once in awhile like a certain gift that he/she would appreciate.

Surprise your partner.

Take care of yourself and make sure that you look pleasant to his/her eyes.

And if you are in a mood for seduction:

Set the stage for seduction - Just before he goes to work, give him a long, passionate kiss which holds the promise to suprise and probably forget all about his sexy young thing back at the office.

Send him a kinky email - Know the time that he's tuned into a meeting and send him something really short and sexy. Don't write a soap opera, but be a tease

Drop off our baby to your mother's place and have a splurge day - Buy sexy lingerie, do your hair and order in food. Plan a perfect evening.

Work your magic with your fingers - Who says that being a mom takes you off the genie pedestal. You still are a sexy little genie and work your magic with your fingers. Give him a good rub with essential oils. Treat him to something soothing and relaxing.

And sit back and enjoy your evening whilst it takes rainbow like hues.