Love Made Simple: A Parent's Guide to Valentine's Day

When you're a parent, quality time with your partner often takes a backseat. Research consistently shows that marital satisfaction tends to decline after having children and doesn't typically rebound until the empty nest phase (great article by Emily Oster on this topic). Valentine’s Day creates a perfect excuse to have a few meaningful moments together. Here are some low-key ideas that can help you invest in your relationship - without extensive planning or big budgets.

✨ Hide little notes around the house with heartfelt messages for your partner to find them throughout the day. Simple? Yes. Makes someone's day? Absolutely.

✨ Grab some canvases, paint and your favorite drinks for a DIY Paint and SIP. Follow a YouTube tutorial or just freestyle and have fun! Either way, you'll end up with some "unique" art and great memories.

✨ Pick a country you both love (or dream of visiting), order food from that cuisine, play some local tunes and voilà - instant vacation vibes without the jet lag.

✨Cook (or order) the same meal as your first date, wear something similar and reminisce about how it all started. Pull out old photos for an extra shot of nostalgia!

✨ Lay out a blanket in the backyard, grab some hot cocoa and spend time looking at the stars for a stargazing adventure. Bonus points if you find Gemini and Taurus constellations! 

Tell yourself next time will be different? Want to skip the planning?

Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing another celebration? Tired of always having to take the first step? Let's talk about how we can help remove the mental load so you can focus on what matters - actually enjoying time with your partner.

Book an appointment here to learn how we can transform Valentine's Day from another obligation into an opportunity to genuinely reconnect.