19 Parents Share How They Keep The Magic Alive After Kids

    "Never let go of that magic."

    Mike Spohr
    by Mike Spohr

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked followers of the BuzzFeed Community to share how they keep the magic alive after kids:

    1. "Set boundaries from the very beginning on 'Daddy and Mommy time.'"

    CBS

    "If you allow your child to dominate every conversation/situation, they won't learn to respect your time as a couple or their place in the family."

    — Mayra Espana, Facebook

    2. "Lots of sex. Even when you're tired. Even when you think you don't want it. Lots of sex."

    Universal

    — stewartkl77

    3. "Grandparents."

    20th Century Fox

    — Carol Rizzardi Afonso Lopes, Facebook

    4. "Strict, early bedtimes for our kids."

    Paramount/20th Century Fox

    "They get the rest they need, and we have a couple of hours to ourselves."

    — cynthiabridgesc

    5. "Romance?! Ha! No, not today."

    Universal

    "But mutual respect and an alliance in parenting? Yes. It works like this for now with the knowledge that someday we will have romance again once these little people become more self reliant. Boogie noses and sleep depravation today... romance and happy memories later. This too is a phase and a process."

    — Ann Malone, Facebook

    6. "We keep the magic by not letting our kids sleep in our bed. It's important to have 'our space.'"

    Jupiterimages / Getty Images

    — vzwhitel

    7. "The most important thing is to always be hitting on each other."

    ABC

    "Never forget to keep looking at your spouse as your spouse and not just as the kids' mother/father."

    — patricial4dee285a2

    8. "Form a babysitting co-op."

    The WB

    "The best thing we did was form a "babysitting cooperative" with our friends who also had kids. We traded babysitting hours, so free babysitting allowed us to go out more, and instead of a 15-year-old sitter, my kids were watched by other parents. And, when we babysat their kids, it was like getting a couple of playmates for our kids."

    — thereses43fce173f

    9. "You find romance in the little things."

    Flickr: alper / Via Creative Commons

    "For example, when my husband does the bedtime routine while I run a bath, when the baby naps and we watch our favorite show together, or when we just spend time cooking and talking like adults. It's an adjustment but it's certainly not impossible."

    — Alida Sahadat Claudino, Facebook

    10. "Forgiveness. All the forgiveness."

    ABC

    "You're both going to do junk that makes the other one mad, so let the things that won't matter in a day or week or month go."

    — Allison Priess Finney, Facebook

    11. "Take care of yourself."

    Flickr: aafromaa / Via Creative Commons

    "Make time to do things that you enjoy and help you relax (that's reading and art for me; video games for the hubs). Eat well and move your body when you can."

    — Allison Priess Finney, Facebook

    12. "Quickies."

    Lionsgate

    "If we can’t get on the same track in bed, we try to get five minutes alone and just do a quickie."

    — StarHigh024

    13. "We have an unwritten rule not to watch our shows without each other!"

    Focus Features

    — vzwhitel

    14. "Communicate with your significant other on any issues you may be having."

    NBC

    "Raising children — on top of keeping romance alive — can be a very difficult task. If you're not willing to communicate with your partner on what's bothering you, then the walls start to build up and the love and trust starts to fade."

    — rachels45dd030db

    15. "Kissing is very important and intimate."

    20th Century Fox

    "Taking a moment to kiss 'just because' is key to reminding each other you love each other and still desire one another despite the ups downs and body changes."

    — elizabethp459dbdf2d

    16. "Don't put your life with your spouse on the back burner."

    ABC

    "One day your child will grow up and move out and you and your spouse will be left to grow old together. Make them laugh; make them your best friend. Put their feelings first sometimes. It's all a giant compromise with lots of sex and cuddles!"

    — klfmclascky

    17. "Do things for each other."

    Flickr: indy138 / Via Creative Commons

    "It's so hard when you're tired, but you start to appreciate each other more instead of resenting the fact that the other person left dishes in the sink."

    — timm47d19cad7

    18. "Make time for your spouse!"

    NBC

    "If your marriage isn't a top priority in your life it will probably fail. When your kids' basic needs are met put your spouse first once in a while. Your kids will be fine if you cuddle with your spouse instead of watching Bubble Guppies with them once in a while."

    — stephanie0698

    19. "Don't forget that there is a reason the kids were made. Never let go of that magic."

    CBS

    — rollerskates

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