Make a Date with your Spouse

by GoParents on May 21, 2012 · 0 comments

in GoParents

bigstock Portrait Of A Couple Getting A 6228779 Make a Date with your Spouse

We talked about Making time with your children last week, what about making time with your spouse? 

Can I ask, if I may, how many of you actually make an effort to spend quality time with your spouse/partner every week? Yes? No?

Well, I understand that we are all very busy. We have our work, house chores and time looking after the children… sowhere  do we have the energy to make time for our spouse/partner?

Would you agree with me if I were to say that no matter how busy you are, you will ALWAYS find time for something that is important to you? 

Is this correct?

Can you relate to any incident that no matter how tired you were and no matter how time poor you were, however but because you were so passionate about it and it was so very important to you, that no matter how tired you were, you will still FIND FOUND the energy and time to accomplish it?

I am going to share an example with you., and I can assure you that spending QUALITY time with your spouse/partner does not have to be expensive or time consuming…but first, let’s start with a little story!

iStock 000015438998Large Make a Date with your Spouse

I remembered having lunch with 3 of my girl friends quite a few years ago, and all three of them were going through divorces at around the same time.  I remember very clearly one of my friends told me the reason they were divorcing was that she and her husband literally grew apart. They advised me that it is was important to never forget about each other…. I took that advice to heart until today. 

When we were in our twenties and before children, we had our own careers to pursue, great carefree interesting pursuits, a decent disposable income to do whatever we wanted, and the chance to travel whenever we wanted.  

However, wWhen our children joined the family, I took on the role of the caregiver, and my husband took off with his career. We were both walking on two different paths.  However, We we were mindful that we should not forget about our lives as a couple. With two children in tow and a single income with mortgages; expensive dinners were not our priority. So how did we organise some quality time together without spending big?

We made sure that we had breakfast together. We made an effort to get up earlier before the children, and we had at least 15 minutes of quiet time together. We still do that today. It does not have to be expensive dinners or outings, but, basically, you need some solid quality time together.

When the children were in high school, after their usual Saturday activities, we would drop them back for their lunch at home; then we the two of us would head out for lunch together. The children enjoyed the quiet time to themselves, and we enjoyed the adult time, including checking out local restaurants for a nice lunch together. 

Remember, it does not have to be an expensive outing; you just have to enjoy the time together as a couple.

Let’s share our experiences and thoughts with fellow parents through the GoParents Facebook Page and help each other!! We all have the same 24 hours in a day to work with. It is up to us to decide how we spend that time.

share save 171 16 Make a Date with your Spouse

{ 0 comments }

Make A Date With Your Children

by GoParents on May 17, 2012 · 0 comments

in GoParents

girl with watch(1) Make A Date With Your Children

Parents are busy making a living and coping with Saturday sports and other family commitments. My family is no exception.

However no matter how busy you are, there is always time for something that is important, right? I am sharing with you a simple but very very effective way to spend QUALITY time with your children – be it young or older children. I can assure you that both you and your children will have a SUPERB time together!

My husband was busy at work, and there was not enough time to properly enjoy our children’s company. However, to make some quality time with them, he would set up a date with the children on one of the Sundays during each school holiday—just him and the children.

The date would be a MYSTERY trip to somewhere not known to the children. They were not told where they were going. All they were told was to pack warmer clothing, if necessary, and he would drop hints and tips here and there before the trip. The children would know if it was a whole day or half day mystery trip, but I can tell you the momentum of excitement would be building 5-6 days before that Mystery Trip day.

The trip would be on public transportation only— for example, the ferry, bus, trains, and even walking—and they would visit a suburb they had not visited before. The children would choose a restaurant of their choice and decide on where to go and what to do (of course with plenty of guidance).  It was a day to totally focus on the children.

Even today, they still have photos of each trip, the food they ate, …and, most of all, the memories they shared. It was a great date and a wonderful way to connect.

Give it a go! Set up a date with your children. I am confident it will be a fantastic day for you and your children.

Hey, I am going to read all your feedback and comments so that I can better serve you. So head to GoParents Facebook Page now

share save 171 16 Make A Date With Your Children

{ 0 comments }

Questions that Ecourage the Flow of Communication!

by GoParents May 14, 2012 GoParents

Good morning!  We talked about opening up communication last week…This week we are going to look at questions that encourage the flow of communication and so create deeper connections with your children.  Understand the different types of questions Whenever you have the chance, ask your children about their day and their experiences. Just allow the conversation to [...]

Share
0 comments Read the full article →

Happy Mother’s Day!!

by GoParents May 13, 2012 GoParents

What is the BEST GIFT any MUM would love to receive on Mother's Day?  The best gift: Is it children giving you is their time … and quality time?  Have times changed? We celebrated Mother’s Day one day earlier. When you receive this e-mail, I will be on my way to the airport…My husband and I, [...]

Share
0 comments Read the full article →

Why Opening Up Communication with Your Children is Essential

by GoParents May 9, 2012 GoParents

Good morning! Grab your cup of coffee or tea and your breakfast and let’s discuss a topic that is very dear to me – How do you open up communication with Your Children? It can be done! Communication; yes, communication is one major area that I see most parents struggle with, especially with their older [...]

Share
2 comments Read the full article →

Parenting is a Partnership

by GoParents May 7, 2012 GoParents Competition

Parenting is a Partnership!! I was talking to my husband the other day about how it is effective to work on both our strengths and support each other. This greatly enhances the goals we strive to achieve as a family. Why Partnership? I believe that each and everyone of us is unique. We have our [...]

Share
0 comments Read the full article →

How do we convey our message to children?

by GoParents April 30, 2012 GoParents

Can we use questions to guide them? If you feel that your child is not making wise decisions about their choices, how do you confront the situation? As parents, it is natural that we want the best for our children. When we see our child or children not making the best decisions for themselves, it [...]

Share
0 comments Read the full article →

Music and Kids by Hello Music – Good Morning

by GoParents April 27, 2012 Music and Kids

Sing and dance along with the Miss Karen and the Hello Music Kids! Sing and dance along with the Miss Karen and the Hello Music Kids! Hello good morning, hello good morning how is everyone today CHA CHA CHA Hello good morning, hello good morning I'm so glad you came to play CHA CHA CHA [...]

Share
0 comments Read the full article →

Tips on how to have a great conversation with your children

by GoParents April 23, 2012 GoParents

I have just dropped off my son at uni this morning. It was just a 20 minute drive, but I offered to take him. I often offer to drive my children to school/uni or their friends’ places where possible. It is not that I am being over protective, but I find that this is the [...]

Share
2 comments Read the full article →

Anzac Day

by GoParents April 20, 2012 Do You Know?

The ANZAC Day (25th April) is an important national day of commemoration for Australians. ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. In 1915 during the World War 1, this was the date when Australians and New Zealand had joined military forces, making the first landing in Gallipoli. More than eight thousand Australian soldiers had died fighting this [...]

Share
0 comments Read the full article →