Last night, my daughter announced around 8 o'clock that she was going to her room to get some of her summer reading finished. My husband, and I immediately glanced over at each other. We smiled, and began to straighten up the family room and gathered up the dogs for their nightly routine before heading up to our bedroom for some alone time.
It can be very difficult to find time together when the kids are home from school all summer and keeping you busy watching over their social activities. So when the moment presents itself, take advantage. And the rest of the time - get creative.
When the kids are out with their friends one evening, use it as an excuse to leave the house for a couple of hours and eat at your favorite restaurant or go for a walk together. If you find yourself home alone during the day because of some extended activity your kids are involved in, call your husband and ask him to come home for lunch.
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Lucky enough to have your kids at summer camp for a few days? Try to work in a quick getaway even if it's close to home.
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Tell the kids you're running out for an hour - go park the car somewhere and talk.
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Sit out on the porch together when the kids are busy with other things inside the house.
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Kids have friends over for a slumber party? There's no rule that says you can't leave the rest of the house to the kids and jump in bed early in the evening and watch a movie together.
I crave time alone with my husband just as I crave time to myself sometimes. It can be difficult to arrange either one at times, but if it's important to you, figure out ways to fit it in. It will always be worth the extra effort, and your kids will probably appreciate the fact that they have happy, healthy parents who have a life outside of them.
Watch for your kids to do something unexpected that leaves you with a little hole in your schedule. If you and your spouse are in the same frame of mind, you just may find that summers are actually the perfect time for a little romance. Whatever you do, don't let it pass you by.
