Parent’s University: Don’t Forget You’re Married

Posted on 07.23.08 in Marriage Parenthood Parents University and there are 17 comments.

Welcome to another installment of Parent’s University. Feel free to join in. Just write a helpful post about parenting and add your link below (at the end of the post).

(Also, I have a great giveaway this week...more on that in a bit.)

Don’t Forget You’re Married

Sometimes in this crazy thing called parenthood, it’s easy to let our marriages fall down on the priority list.

We’re busy with the kids. We’re busy with work. We’re busy with life.

But it’s vital to us and to our kids that we keep our marriages thriving. Here are some things that have helped Jimmy and I stay connected and at times, reconnect:

1. Talk, Talk, Talk
Or email. Or text. Just communicate - often.

2. Have Fun Together Everyday
We’re doing the 100 Push Up Challenge (Because we’re weird like that.)

3. Go On Dates
We swap date nights with some friends of ours. We put the kids to bed, my friend comes over and Jimmy and I head out for a fun night on the town. Free babysitting. Oh yeah.

4. Getaway
It took us 6 years to do this, but it was awesome. My brother and his wife watched a few episodes of “John and Kate Plus 8” and then came over and watched our kids PLUS their kids. Jimmy and I went to Austin. We kayaked, ate out, stayed up late, went to bed early and slept in.

It was so great to reconnect on a one on one level - without little people interrupting every other sentence.

The Giveaway: Three Marriage and Family Books

Today, I’m honored to have THREE books to giveaway from author, Marla Taviano.

Not coincidentally, Marla has written....wait for it....THREE books.

They are all geared towards women (sorry guys) but they’d be great gifts for husbands to win for their wives (you’re welcome guys). And, frankly, one of her books, you might really want to win for your wives....or just buy it if you don’t win it…

Seriously.

She’s a great author with some life changing insights for married women and moms. Her writing has really impacted me and I’m happy to have the opportunity to share her books with you.

Sooo....to enter the giveaway, just visit Marla Taviano’s website and pick the book you’d like to win (you can change your selection later if you want to). Write the title in the comments here and voila. You’re entered.

Then be sure to check out Marla’s blog too.

Your Turn

Join in the fun of Parent’s University by writing a post about....yes....parenting and adding your link below.

The Comments:

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Whew, that’s a hard one. I liked the diaper one and the “is that all he thinks about” book. Hmm, I guess my choice would be “Is That All He Thinks About”. Yes, that’s my final answer.

This is a super hard choice!! I like “Is That All He Thinks About” and “Changing the World One Diaper at a Time”. hmmm...I think I’ll go with “Changing the world....” =)

I think maybe “Is that all he thinks about”...the diaper one is irrelevant because I don’t have an infant...and the second one - well...I’ll be married for 7 years soon, so..."Is That All He thinks About” would probably be the one.

If I could pick, I’d pick the book “Changing your world one diaper at a time.”

I’ve read the first two books - they’re great!
I would love “Changing your world...”

I took us 7 years to finally get away so your at least ahead of us. It really is nice having that time to do whatever you want without considering what the three kids need. Time to reconnect is invaluable. Honestly I’m going to try to get us away at least for a couple of days at least once a quarter. I think it would really be great for our marriage.

I love the get away idea Kat.  My wife and I have done this every year for over 20 years.  We go away just the two of us to reconnect / stay connected.

For a long time we could only afford a weekend.  We would find a special somewhere for 2 nights, and pack a cooler for sandwiches. 

For the last 10 years we have been going away for a week.  Grandma takes care of the kids, and off we go.  We REALLY miss the kids and we enjoy them so much more when we return.

Its surprising that so many people focus only on the kids, and forget that they were a couple before they were parents.

Those all look so good, but i’d have to say the “Changing your world” one. I’ve been a mom for a little over 3 years and the things it looks like she talks about are still things I stuggle with.

I’d love to get a copy of Changing Your World one Diaper at a Time!

Greetings! I can see how having a family can let the “marriage” aspect slip. My husband and I have been married for 22 years and some days, we barely get to talk! I would love to win her book “Is That All He Thinks About?” I had even gotten to a point where because my husband and I didn’t have much of a mental/emotional thing going, that being intimate didn’t interest me. Please enter me in your drawing. I appreciate it! Thanks, Cindi

These are good thoughts, Kat.  I love reading your blog because I can get so much insight on parenting from it, and even though I don’t have kids yet, I know I’ll use many of the things you’ve suggested in the future. So thanks! 

Since I won your last giveaway I won’t enter this one, but I might have to check out those books. 

I think it’s awesome that you trade date nights with another couple. That’s really a brilliant idea!

I’d love to read these books!  I just read an excerpt from Changing the World One Diaper at a Time on that website and it sounds pretty funny.  That is the one I would choose. 

I realize I could be the first male poster, but here goes…

and I’d like to gift the “is that all he thinks about” to my wide.

my wife....

"Is that All He Thinks About” seriously cause.. that seems to be what the main “issue” is with my marriage. I’m 8 months preggo, I’m tired, I have a 17 month old son… and it always boils down to s e x… I would love to win this book! According to stats we have a “healthy” relationship in the bed , more than most…

phillipsonlygirl at gmail dot com

I’m really interested in winning “Is That All He Thinks About?” Thanks for the giveaway.

This one looks very interesting.  I’m not there yet but I think it would be a good book for some of my friends and me in the future: From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife.

Thanks for the chance.

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