Parents as Lovers

You already know how important it is to “childproof” your home in order to keep your child safe. What you might not realize is that it’s important to “childproof” your sex-life, too. Here are some sure-fire strategies for keeping the sizzle in your sex life throughout your childbearing years.

Invest in your relationship on a regular basis. Make spending time with your partner a priority, even if that means keeping your eyes open for an extra hour after the kids go to bed, asking a friend or relative to stay with them for an hour or two so that you and your partner can have dinner out at a favourite restaurant, or simply unplugging the phone for an hour or two in the evening so that you and your partner can enjoy some uninterrupted time together. With any luck, the time and energy you invest in your relationship will reap tremendous dividends for you and your partner, both inside and outside of the bedroom.

Don’t wait to be swept away by a moment of passion. Rather than leaving things to chance, plan your next romantic interlude ahead of time. Scheduled sex may not be quite as romantic as spontaneous sex, but it’s definitely a better alternative to no sex, and—for many couples—it’s the only sure-fire way to keep their sex lives on track during the crazy-busy childbearing years.

Set the stage for romance. It’s hard to feel romantic when you’ve spent the entire day dealing with a demanding toddler—or if you’re worried about how your second grader is doing at school. You may find it easier to switch from mommy mode to siren mode if you take some time for yourself at the end of the day. Light some scented candles, treat yourself to a bubble bath, listen to some romantic music, or read a few pages of a steamy novel. Do whatever it takes to nurture and replenish yourself.

Above all else, keep your sense of humor. A shared laugh at the end of a particularly rough day can work wonders by cementing the ties between you and your partner and relieving some of the stress of parenthood. Laughter is truly the best medicine, so make sure you keep a large bottle on hand.