I know you.
You are both working; you have children; you don’t get enough sleep; you are just trying to keep your heads above water.
So, I won’t bother telling you to have a date night once a week. Let’s face it–at this point in your lives, it’s not going to happen, and it will just make you feel frustrated to try to add one more thing into your over-scheduled lives.
However, even the smallest things can make a big difference. So here is a list of little things you can do to connect with your spouse, and show them they are still the most important person in your life, (even if you don’t have five minutes to spend with them.)
- Put away the clean dishes.
Nobody likes to do it, and everyone likes to see it done. Your spouse will appreciate it. - Hug your spouse often.
In the morning, before you go to work, when you come home and before you go to bed. - Say “I love you” often.
Add a pet name if you feel playful. - Express Gratitude
Say “I appreciate everything you do. I couldn’t do what I do if you didn’t do what you do. This family just couldn’t run without you.” - Give your spouse one compliment a day.
“Your hair looks nice. I like the way you think. I think you are doing great. I like the way you…” - Say “Thank you” often.
Thank them for small gestures, things they do around the house, compliments they give you. - Turn off the distractions.
Turn off the TV, the tablets/computers, put down your phone. Put on some nice, relaxing music. Light a candle. - Do the laundry.
Or vacuum the house. Or clean the kitchen. - Bring your spouse a small gift.
A cup of tea, a Hershey’s kiss, or some other small offering. - Be intimate.
You may not have time have time for sex, but an Eskimo kiss, or a kiss on the tip of their nose/hand/wrist/neck, is still intimate and sweet.
Even when you are pulled in different directions, feed your relationship with something small which lets the other person know you haven’t forgotten about them, and they are still the focus of your thoughts, if not your time right now.
Feel free to add your own creativity to the list above and look for ways to build more time into your schedules for each other when possible. In the meantime, tiny keeps the home fires burning.