4 Lessons Indian Husbands Must Learn from Sachin Tendulkar By Meenu Bahuguna

Sachin Tendulkar, the Master Blaster, is an inspiration to the world. He made his international debut when he was merely 16 years old. Mathew Hayden, the Australian batsman once said, “I have seen God, he bats at no. 4 for India in Test.” He clearly meant Sachin Tendulkar.

Our 'Little Master' has made the world proud with his antics on the field and has been named among the greatest cricketers of all times. Professional achievements aside, there is another part to Sachin– a shy boyfriend, a loyal husband and a committed life partner. As inspirational as he is in cricket, there are a lot of things that all Indian husbands can learn from this 'God of Cricket' too.

Dedication and commitment

For a person of Sachin’s stature, there is definitely no dearth of beautiful temptations. But Sachin is one of the few cricketers whose name has never been involved in a controversy with regard to his love life. While some of his contemporaries were chasing Bollywood divas, Sachin remain chaste and oblivious to abounding enticements surrounding him in all part of the world. His commitment and love towards his wife is really inspirational. Well it won't be wrong if we say that every woman should be blessed with a husband who is as dedicated as Sachin Tendulkar.

Focus on qualitative time

Since Sachin travels all over the world almost all round the year, he hardly gets to spend a lot of time with his family. However, the Master Blaster balances his work and family by ensuring that he spends qualitative time with his wife and kids whenever he is at home. He takes them out on holidays, family dinners and bonds with his family lovingly whenever around. His wife Anjali says, “He hasn’t spent Diwali at home since we got married. But it really doesn’t matter that it’s Diwali… any time he spends at home is great!” Sachin epitomises the fact that quality of time is always more important than quantity.

Only love matters

Sachin’s wife Anjali is six years elder to him. She is at least one inch taller than him. She is from a different community and culture. But all these petty things just didn’t matter. For Sachin, the boyfriend, as well as for Sachin, the husband, love is all that matters. This is one quality that every husband can emulate. Nothing is bigger than love. Once in a BBC interview when asked about his dream women, Sachin answered ‘my wife’ without batting an eyelid.

Recognises his wife’s sacrifices

Unlike a lot of husbands who never recognise the sacrifices that their wives make for the family, Sachin has gone on record time and again recognising Anjali’s contribution in his life. He concedes that he never has the time to teach his kids or spend much time with them, he always endorses that it is his wife who manages everything so beautifully at the personal front. He recognises and respects the fact that Anjali gave up her doctor’s career so that she could manage the family.

He says that Anjali has been his biggest support and even mentioned that when he is on the field batting, his wife fasts for him!

Sachin Tendulkar is a true inspiration, not only in the field of cricket but also off the field. Be it love and dedication to his family or his humility, there is a lot that every man can emulate from him. So, all the husbands out there, look beyond the Master Blaster's cricketing shots and you are sure to score a century with your wife!

source: http://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/

Physical attraction does make a difference in a marriage.

Physical appearance plays a crucial role in shaping new relationships, but does it continue to affect established relationships, such as marriage? In the current study, the authors examined how observer ratings of each spouse's facial attractiveness and the difference between those ratings were associated with (a) observations of social support behavior and (b) reports of marital satisfaction.

In contrast to the robust and almost universally positive effects of levels of attractiveness on new relationships, the only association between levels of attractiveness and the outcomes of these marriages was that attractive husbands were less satisfied.

Further, in contrast to the importance of matched attractiveness to new relationships, similarity in attractiveness was unrelated to spouses' satisfaction and behavior. Instead, the relative difference between partners' levels of attractiveness appeared to be most important in predicting marital behavior, such that both spouses behaved more positively in relationships in which wives were more attractive than their husbands, but they behaved more negatively in relationships in which husbands were more attractive than their wives. These results highlight the importance of dyadic examinations of the effects of spouses' qualities on their marriages.

Source: Beyond initial attraction: Physical attractiveness in newlywed marriage. By McNulty, James K.; Neff, Lisa A.; Karney, Benjamin R. Journal of Family

10 Qualities of Great Marriages

Here are 10 qualities of great marriages: 

1. Friendship: Spouses who have a strong friendship have staying power in that they not only love each other, but genuinely like each other. They enjoy spending time together and there is mutual respect.

2. Humor: Spouses who can make each other laugh tend to be good at de-escalating conflicts when they do arise. Couples who have the ability to lighten up a tense moment have a big advantage in that they are able to lighten the mood quickly and possibly derail conflict. The use of funny nicknames can be an indicator of great fondness for one another. The names often stem from a "you had to be there" moment from the beginning of their relationship. 

3. Communication: As obvious as this may seem, many couples are not very good at it. Those who are able to openly express their feelings in an emotionally safe environment typically deal with situations as they come up and avoid burying frustrations which always have a way of coming out at some point. 

4. Chore Sharing: Those who divvy up the household or parenting responsibilities in a way that is mutually agreed upon are less likely to hold resentments about what they perceive as "unfair." Each participates and contributes to the marriage in this way. 

5. Sexual Intimacy: Couples who have their sexual needs met or at least have negotiated a reasonable compromise, if their levels of need aren’t compatible, feel taken care of by the other. Some are highly active, engaging in lovemaking multiple times a week and others are content with far less. There is no "right" or "wrong" here, but if one person is feeling their needs aren’t being met it’s important to talk about it. 

6. Affection: Spouses who stay in physical contact in some way throughout the day feel connected to each other, even if it's a simple stroke of the hair, kiss on the cheek or playful tap on the rear. These moments don’t necessarily lead to sexual intimacy but are rather easy ways to say, "I love you and we’re connected" without the words. Some households are so chaotic between jobs, kids and life that these brief shows of affection can be grounding when everything else is swirling around you. 

7. No "Horsemen of the Apocalypse:" This is a term coined by couple’s researcher, John Gottman, who is able to predict divorce with incredible accuracy. His "four horsemen of the apocalypse" are criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling. He has shown that couples who demonstrate a high level of "the horsemen" in their relationships are more likely to divorce. 

8. Mutual and Separate Friends: Partners who socialize with other couples and also maintain separate friendships have greater balance in regards to honoring themselves as individuals within the marriage. This leads to more self-satisfaction, which translates to relationship satisfaction. 

9. Reliability: It’s human nature to feel good when those we care about follow through behaviorally and we know they will be there. If couples do what they say and say what they do, they create an atmosphere of comfort in knowing their words mean something to the other, which increases emotional safety in the marriage. 

10. Relationship Vision: Couples who have created a relationship vision for themselves know where they’re going as they’ve planned it together. They get joy out of reaching for their goals as a team and are less likely to be derailed by surprises down the line. Where do they see themselves in 10 years? What are their marriage and family goals? 

Perhaps many of the above ideas resonate with you, and perhaps some do and some don’t. It’s also possible that you have many additional ideas about aspects of successful marriages. At the end of the day great marriages are created by the two people involved and are defined as such by what works for each of them together. I encourage you to sit down with your spouse and talk about your ideas of what makes a great marriage and make it so for yourselves! 

Source: http://www.hitchedmag.com/

6 signs your relationship is in trouble

Here are six signs your relationship may be in trouble. 

1. The relationship isn't a priority
Between work, kids and life, it can be easy for a relationship to become lost among other responsibilities. "There's an ebb and flow in relationships," says Shizgal. "There are seasons, there's change – it's a work in progress."

However, if your relationship is chronically not a priority then that’s a problem. If your relationship is not a priority, then you've "lost the mutual responsibility for the health of the relationship and the maintenance of the relationship," explains Shizgal.

2. You expect your partner to meet all of your needs 
We often come into a relationship with an unrealistic expectation that our partner will fulfil all of our needs. Your partner isn't your parent, though, so it's not his or her job to meet all of your needs, explains Shizgal.

"It's hard to separate out that my unmet needs are for me to figure out and for my partner to support me in," she says. If you blame your partner – or vice versa – for not assisting you financially or for not helping you cope with stress and anxiety, then you need to step back and consider whose job it really is to fulfil those needs.

3. Checking out
If one or both of you is checking out of your relationship, then that's a problem. According to Shizgal, a relationship is a "conscious partnership" that involves "both people taking responsibility for the relationship, because two people have to be reliably, sustainably engaged," she says.

You need to be aware of how your actions – or lack thereof – are impacting the relationship. Ask yourself what you're bringing to the relationship. Are you present? If you're checking out of the relatinonship, then you're not engaged in a conscious partnership and that's not healthy 

4. Lack of eye contact
"When couples are in distress, even in small arguments, they tend to stop looking at each other and avoid eye contact," says Shizgal.

You could be avoiding eye contact for many reasons: maybe you're not telling the truth or perhaps you're afraid of facing your problems. Either way, not making eye contact is a physical sign of a problem in your relationship. Ask yourself why you avoid eye contact, says Shizgal. Then, actually make an effort to make eye contact with your partner.  

5. You've stopped fighting
Fighting is a sign we often associate with a troubled relationship, and while fighting too much is not healthy, not fighting at all isn't healthy either, says Shizgal. "I think it's important to be able to fight and disagree and survive," she says. "Often, when we can work through conflicts or disappointments, we end up moving closer together."

If you don't fight it usually means that you're scared of upsetting your partner by saying that you're mad. However, if you don't express how you feel then you'll never work through your issues as a couple.

6. A pattern of pursuit and avoidance
"Sometimes people get so scared of jeopardizing their relationship or pushing their partner further away, that one person ends up chasing the other person, while the second person avoids them," says Shizgal. She calls this a "pattern of pursuit and avoidance" or "avoidance/avoidance."

This is usually a symptom of a relationship where the couple doesn't communicate or isn't sure how to communicate well. A couple that is stuck in this pattern has to learn how to communicate effectively and to actually address issues, instead of avoiding them. 

Ultimately, relationships are a work in progress and you need to ask yourself if you can work through the issues you and your partner may have. Can you talk out your differences? Can you renegotiate your responsibilities so that everyone is happier? If not, then your relationship has a serious hurdle that it may not be able to overcome.

source-http://www.canadianliving.com/

The best pre-wedding diet plan

10-point wedding diet plan for brides

If you want to lose weight for your wedding, our pre-wedding diet ideas lift the lid on the best meal plans, weight loss tips, and slimming strategies to help brides shed the pounds.

By following our 10-point plan and a healthy menu, you’ll be sliding rather than squeezing into your gown on your wedding day. After all, nothing beats that feeling of feeling lighter and knowing you are looking your best. The good news is it’s not just a case of scrimping and skipping meals. If you stick to the tips and follow the menu you’ll definitely feel the benefit even if your wedding date is just days away.

Diet tip 1: Always eat breakfast

Kick-start your body’s engine with a low fat, slow energy release, unrefined meal. Aim for a 300-350 calorie meal to fit in with the body’s natural metabolism which is primed in the morning and tails off during the day.

Diet tip 2: Hydrate

Drink plenty of fluids (water, herbal teas and sugar-free cordial); aim for two liters spread throughout the whole day and you’ll feel more energized and alert. Plus, toxins will be flushed away and your complexion will definitely improve.

Diet tip 3: Don’t skip meals

Running on empty is a bad choice as your blood sugar levels will dip causing headaches, fatigue and aggravation, which may even lead to a binge when you eat again. Your body needs a balanced intake of food to function properly, so starving yourself is not the answer.

Diet  tip 4: Cut the booze

If you drink your maximum recommended units (21 per week for women) then you are taking in more than 1,000 extra calories. Strengthen that willpower and try to cut alcohol as much possible in the lead up to the big day.

Diet tip 5: Don’t skimp on protein

Eat a portion of protein at lunchtime to help avoid an energy slump in the afternoon, which could have you heading for the vending machine. Try a chicken salad or prawn stir fry to keep you full into the afternoon.

Diet tip 6: Eat mindfully

You can’t afford to ‘waste’ calories by eating mindlessly at the fridge, straight from the saucepan or while you’re on the go. Make sure that you sit down to savour all your meals and snacks.

Diet tip 7: Use a smaller plate

Swap your normal plate for a slightly smaller one, making your meals seem larger and you'll find your 'full' switch will flip a little faster.

Diet tip 8: Say no to processed food

If it comes in a packet, leave it on the supermarket shelf. You’ll automatically eliminate food manufacturers’ high fat and high sugar products, not forgetting artificial ingredients. Natural and fresh is always best.

Diet tip 9: Move more

Remember, as well as cutting calories you should burn them too – make sure you compliment the 10-point plan with physical activity. Try a brisk walk to work, an invigorating swim after dinner or join a class at your gym.

Diet tip 10: Mix it up

Make sure you don’t eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner day-in day-out. Keep things interesting by finding new recipes so that you don’t get bored and end up reaching for the chocolate. A good way to avoid the routine rut is to plan your meals ahead and buy ingredients accordingly.

Weight loss menu ideas

Here’s our mix and match menu to give your diet variety – choose one breakfast, lunch and dinner option and two snack options per day and remember space your meals evenly. Please note this is only a short-term weight-loss plan aimed to cut calories in the run up to you wedding. The best way to lose weight in the long term is to gradually increase your levels of physical activity and follow a balanced, healthy diet.

Weight loss breakfast idea (approx 300-350 calories)

• 50g oats mixed with 100g low-fat natural yoghurt and 100g strawberries

• 45g cereal with 200ml semi-skimmed milk and 200g blueberries

• Two boiled eggs, one slice of wholemeal toast and 10 cherry tomatoes

Weight loss lunch ideas (approx 200-250 calories)

• Brown pitta bread stuffed with 50g lean ham and 100g salad • Two rye crackers topped with 100g cottage cheese and 50g of ham • One slice of wholemeal toast, smeared with half an avocado and a sprinkle of Tabasco sauce

Weight loss dinner ideas (approx 250-300 calories)

• 150g grilled cod, 150g broccoli and 10 roasted cherry tomatoes

• Omelette made with two eggs, two egg whites, 50g mushrooms served with150g salad

• 150g grilled turkey, 150g roasted vegetables (yellow peppers, courgettes, red onions)

Weight loss snack ideas (approx 150 calories each)

• One 120g pot of yoghurt plus one tablespoon of honey

• 50g reduced fat hummus with one medium carrot cut into sticks

• Three rough oatcakes smeared with marmite

Source:  http://www.getwed.com 

The Dangers of Arguing in Front of Your Kids

You know that sick feeling that comes over you when you and your husband are shouting angrily at each other -- and then you look up and see your child standing wide-eyed in the doorway?

If you're like me, you can remember just how upset you felt when you heard your own parents argue. By the time we were preteens, my sister and I had suggested to my parents that they get divorced if they couldn't get along any better. They never did anything of the kind, so I have to conclude it bothered us more than it bothered them.

Is Arguing in Front of the Kids Always Harmful?

An occasional disagreement -- call it a "heated negotiation" -- during which you treat each other with respect and move into problem-solving, say therapists, is actually a good thing for kids. It's considered a form of role modeling. But arguments in which you repeat the same points over and over, or call each other names -- where you are venting resentments rather than solving problems -- have no up side for the children. "If you bully one another, your kids learn to bully others. "And they will turn that treatment right back on you once they are teenagers."

Do Parental Fights Have a Negative Influence on Kids?

"Children start by being frightened by their parents arguing," says Jacobs. "Later, they become disgusted. 'How can they live like this?' they wonder. Eventually, they develop a fear of being similarly trapped, and as adults may have the tendency to bail out of relationships early."

What Can Parents Do to Minimize Any Trauma?

If kids witness a bad argument, don't sweep it under the rug, says Lindquist, go ahead and apologize to them. Reassure them that you love each other. Mention specifically, in age-appropriate terms, how you would have liked to talk about the conflict. For example: "I'm sorry Daddy and I were arguing last night. We both feel bad when we say bad words. We can work things out better when we don't interrupt each other and use soft voices."

How to Keep Arguments Under Control

1. Argue as though the neighbors are able to hear you No name calling, no foul language, no raised voices.
2. Actively use your listening skills.
3. Give direct eye contact and do nothing else while your spouse is
talking. Look riveted. Nod your head, no matter what they are
saying.
4. Repeat what the person has said. Use as many of the same
words as possible.
5. Sympathize. Let the other person know you understand that they
are feeling bad, even if they are blaming you for the problem.
6. Ask, "Is there anything more you want to tell me?" Give your
partner a chance to discover deeper feelings, and to shift to a
calmer, more neutral place.

If you find yourself getting carried away, call a time-out. Stop right there and agree to talk later. Then make a time to sit down and have a real discussion about what is bothering you -- the bigger issues of your life and your marriage.

And do it when your children do not have to be an audience.

Mangalsutra

Mangalsutra - The Sacred Symbol of #Marriage

A Hindu marriage symbolizes not just coming together of two individuals, but also the bonding of understanding, commitment, mutual love, oneness and spiritual growth. Traditionally, #Hindu marriage is much more than just celebration and fun. It demands sacrifice, companionship, #dedication, and #devotion from both the partners. Each and every #rituals and customs associated with marriage portrays the real essence of #wedding. Traditionally, there are five signs of marital status of women, according to Hindu #culture- #mangalsutra, toe rings, #kumkum, bangles and a nose ring. Talking about Mangalsutra, the word denotes a significant meaning. While mangal means aupiscious, sutra can be deciphered as a thread.

Significance Of Mangalsutra In Hindu Marriage

Mangalsutra, as such, is not just a jewelry item, but a sacred thread of #love and #goodwill worn by #married #women, as a symbol of their successful marriage. An inevitable part of Hindu marriage ceremony, Mangalsutra refers to a revered symbol of wedlock. India being a land of diversity, different regions in the country have assigned different names for this scared symbol. While it is known as the thaaly or maangalyam in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil in Southern India, people in the northern part of India calls it Mangalsutra. It is believed that the concept of this sacred thread had its roots laid down in South #India. Having immense significance and importance, it traveled to North India as well and today, forms an imperative part of the wedding ceremony.

Mangalsutra is the token of dignity and love given to a #bride by her #groom. 
On the wedding day, the groom ties the Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride, while the priest recites Vedic hymns and prays. It signifies the union of the bride and the groom, amidst the presence of deities, who are believed to be attending the marriage. In some regions, the groom ties first and his sisters tie the rest. Talking about its appearance, this sacred thread is made of two strings of small black beads with a locket or pendant. Sometimes, it is also made of small beads of gold and black beads, with gold and diamond pendant.

Considered auspicious for married women, mangalsutra is believed to have divine powers. Each of the black beads in the Mangalsutra, signify protection from evil power and are believed to protect the marriage of a couple, essentially the life of the husband. Hindu women feel superstitious, when this scared thread breaks or gets lost. In the present times, mangalsutra are boasts of various designs and patterns. While the Gujaratis and Marwaris often go for a diamond pendant, Maharashtrians have a pendant that consists of one or two vatis and Bengalis in the meanwhile, have coral incorporated in the designing of the Mangalsutra.

Present Scenario

Today, the concept of wearing a mangalsutra has changed considerably. It is more of a fashion statement than a symbol of marriage, thanks to modernization. With the progressive times, the wearing of mangalsutra in working women has considerably reduced. There is also a marked change in the style and making of mangalsutra over the years. Previously, women used to wear simple design mangalsutra, with small pendants, but now, the trend is to wear short length ones, that too with a single string. Instead of gold pendants, they prefer diamond ones. However, the black beads have still managed to remain constant. Whatever may be the reason to adore it, mangalsutra surely symbolizes the real essence and concept of a Hindu marriage. 

ref. - www.weddings.iloveindia.com

Lovestory

#lovestory... 

He might be the youngest of them all but he's surely the most romantic. After all, he #proposed to his lady love at the age of 4! And not to his current wife Avantika, but his first crush #JuhiChawla. Actor Imran Khan proposed to the #actress with a ring during the shooting of #QayamatSeQayamatTak, which Juhi even accepted. However, soon Imran realised his mistake and would you believe it, he even asked her to return her ring, which she did.

However, the actor still considers her his first #wife and as per a report jokes, "The #relationship didn't work out, but she is my first wife. I still feel very bad about it (not working out)."

#Quality Of #Great #Marriage

Relationship Vision: 

#Couples who have created a #relationship vision for themselves know where they’re going as they’ve planned it #together. They get joy out of reaching for their goals as a team and are less likely to be derailed by #surprises down the line. Where do they see themselves in 10 years? What are their #marriage and #family #goals? 

Perhaps many of the above ideas resonate with you, and perhaps some do and some don’t. It’s also possible that you have many additional ideas about aspects of #successful marriages. At the end of the day great marriages are created by the two people involved and are defined as such by what works for each of them together. I encourage you to sit down with your spouse and talk about your ideas of what makes a great marriage and make it so for yourselves! 

"Radha Krishna(The Eternal Love)"

Slowly, gently let’s dive into the world,

The secret romantic world of Radha and Krishna.

Yellow garments covering Krishna’s body of blue,

Radha’s countenance blushing like the timid silver moon,

With the luring notes of Krishna’s magical flute.

Krishna, who steals from his sanguine eyes,

The precious love deep rooted in the heart inside.

When he stole a glance at Radha’s hazel eyes,

Desire and Love melted to one in two hearts,

And two souls entwined together to form a name ”Radha-Krishna”.

No one near but the white moon above,

In whose milky beams, Love bathes with the doves,

Witnesses the romantic melody of the tranquil night,

That dances out of Krishna’s flute, graceful and divine,

And on the tune of which Radha droops her eyes meekly.

On the leafy grass, Krishna on Radha’s lap,

In the dark infinite, stars on cloud’s arm,

No eyes have got the boon to get such blissful sight,

Only jingling of Radha’s anklets and notes from Krishna’s flute,

Can feel this spiritual romance of Radha and Madhava.

Krishna’s tempting eyes doing the trick,

Calling Radha’s tempted lips to give a kiss,

And like a desert nomad’s thirsty throat in an oasis,

Krishna’s lips keep on drinking the winy kiss from Radha’s lips,

Which drowns his heart in the flooding river of kiss.

This secret world of spiritual love and divine romance,

The sweet of whose nectar soothes the moon and the stars,

What wondrous beauty is hidden in its bosom ?

Where Radha and Madhava , in different conjoining postures,

Come together to fulfill every lustful desire…

(Source: http://allpoetry.com)

Express your Needs....

#Express Your #Needs

You must make known your needs to your #partner. He or she can’t be expected to guess about what your needs are. #Balance is #important in that extreme self centeredness is as bad as extreme selflessness. Keeping your needs to yourself doesn't allow your partner the chance to express #love through the #act of giving.

Building a ‪#‎strong‬ ‪#‎marriage‬ :

‪#‎Relationship‬ ‪#‎Advice‬: If you are both actively committed to a strong marriage, ‪#‎communication‬ is key. But talking isn't always enough. When considering actions to keep your marriage strong, take some tips from these relationship questions:


What are you doing to improve and beautify the environment of your home, inside and outside?
Are you cooperating with each other on such matters as household projects, childcare or financial management?
Do you regularly use courteous words and actions, such as saying "please" and "thank you?"
Do you show enthusiasm and encouragement for what is important to each other?
Are you meeting each other's physical and emotional needs?
Do you do many small kind and thoughtful acts for each other, such as bringing a cup of tea or coffee, picking up a mess without reminder or offering a foot or back massage?
Do you show love in ways besides words, such as with a gift or gentle touch?
Do you respect each other and consider each other's schedule and needs when setting up activities?
Are you nurturing your spiritual bond with prayer or worship?

A final relationship tip: Remember that actions speak louder than words.

Source: http://www.parentsconnect.com/

‪#‎Refresh‬ your ‪#‎marriage‬/‪#‎relationship‬ :

Take a ‪#‎vacation‬

Tight resources and work responsibilities might make you think that taking a vacation is out of the question. But instead of viewing it as another expense, consider the vacation as an investment into your relationship. Moreover you need not go for a luxury cruise or at an expensive location. Even a ‪#‎weekend‬ getaway at a nearby resort or a ‪#‎couple‬ of days at the beach can be enough to reconnect with each other. Pick a quiet place with no internet, calls from office, reminders of chores at home and preferably no kids. Use this time solely to be with each other. Talk about‪#‎happy‬ ‪#‎memories‬, future dreams and present concerns. When you return you will not only feel refreshed yourself but find that your #marriage is rejuvenated and stronger than before.

Don't go to ‪#‎bed‬ ‪#‎angry‬

Don't go to ‪#‎bed‬ ‪#‎angry‬

When you do, it gives the ‪#‎enemy‬ a foothold in your‪#‎marriage‬. After you calm down, talk it out and make peace. ‪#‎Anger‬ grows if you don't deal with in it in a timely manner.

Relationship Tips: Connect with Your Partner

A lot happens in your life after you exchange I-Do's, so it's only natural that your relationship changes over time. Our relationship advice? It takes work to ensure that you grow closer rather than farther apart over time. 

Here are several relationship tips about how you can connect with your partner and strengthen your relationship. Your challenge is to choose and complete at least two of these ideas (or else!):

    1)    Go on a date with your spouse/partner.

·         Make it a 'real' date. Go to a restaurant or the movies, visit friends, or attend a sports event.

·         Make it an 'at home' date. If you're staying home make sure to transform the look of the room for the date (e.g. decorating the kitchen or bedroom with candles, flowers, etc.) and hire a babysitter. Your "date" could be a home movie night, dinner, sharing a bottle of wine and talking...anything that gives you relaxed time to connect with your partner.

2)  Spend quality time with your partner at least twice this week.

This is different from the "date" in that it doesn't necessarily involve the romance and preparation that go into a date. 

Relationship Tips:

·         Work out together.

·         Watch your favorite program or a movie.

·         Visit friends/family together.

·         Do something you don't normally do together.

3)  Increase the romance factor in your relationship.

Plan a romantic night at home or in a hotel to strengthen your relationship.

Relationship Tips:

·         Get rid of the old sweatshirt as pajamas and wear something sexier than usual.

·         Try massages, cuddling, or watching a good movie in bed.

·         If you like, add champagne/wine and anything you like to nibble on.

·         If necessary, start by de-cluttering your room so that you have space for romance.

4)  Surprise your partner.

Do something that you know your partner would like but isn't expecting.

Relationship Tips:

·         Do something YOUR PARTNER would like, not something YOU would like.

·         Give a gift, plan a special event, or give your partner some alone time.

(Source: http://www.parentsconnect.com )