Keeping your relationships alive with tweens in tow...

[paellalover]

Just that really. We're finding now the kids are staying up later, they have lots of after school, activities and zero babysitting options. How do you get relationship time / time to connect? Any tips for how you stop life being some childs entertaining exercise and carve out some time? Our relationship is really suffering. We feel tired, exhausted and like we've lost ourselves and each other and are existing as just parents. We love each other but we're struggling to keep things alive..

One of the things we did, was sometimes book a days leave when the girls were in school, and go out, just us. Extravagant, but bliss!

I agree with mbosnz try and get some time mid week together, Could they possibly look after themselves for an hour or two if you took yourselves off for a nice meal just somewhere local?

Can the children entertain themselves at all? Ours were quite good at letting us have a few hours here and there, under instruction. Otherwise, excellent idea to take a day off together. Sounds wonderful.

Is even harder with teenagers imo. Don’t know what the answer is though.

Quick weekend nap, stay up late and once they are fast asleep spend some time having (very very quiet) long slow sex.

We can bicker and get annoyed at everyday life stress but that hour we set aside for us is blissful. Helps that he's dead good at it too 😂 I'm sure we would argue more if we didn't put this time in for us.

We also have the day off together ! It really really helps , op.

Failing that, get the kids set up with whatever will keep them busy for a couple of hours, then get some nice special snacks /drinks in for you, cuddle on the sofa with a nice soppy movie.

Some great ideas thanks. I'm going to book a day off this week. Shame we'll have to be back for school pick up!! I think we'd need more than a nap to have planned late night sex @TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo Well done though. Sounds great! 😁

At least one night a week say they need to go up to their rooms by a certain time so that you have an evening together; they can do whatever in their rooms but need to go up. Then have dinner the two of you and chat/watch something you don’t normally get to watch when they’re there etc