Tears, tantrums and joy

I think most of us are at the moment feeling the pinch of the credit crunch.  At times like these the first thing that goes out the window for parents are nights out.  We see them as luxury items and way down on our list of priorities.  Sometimes even when you do get out you find it difficult to enjoy it as you are so aware how much it is costing you.  I do believe it is very important for couple to continue having nights out together as it reminds you of why you fell in love with one another in the first place and gives you a chance to be you again and not just mum and dad.  You can however try substituting some of the nights you used to go out with a night in:

>Get someone to babysit the kids at their house

>Arrange a time for your night to begin and both go and get dressed up as you would for a night out

>Cook a meal in or get a take-away - splash out a little on a nice bottle of wine

>Sit around the table and catch up with one another’s news - play some music to keep the night upbeat

>Then you can watch a movie, do a bit of dancing, whatever takes your fancy

>Remember you are young and free tonight and you can stay up late and have a lie in tomorrow morning

This is a great way to get that together and in love feeling without having to spend a fortune.  I think these kind of nights are a must if you want to keep your relationship alive

Please visit my website at :

http://www.tearstantrumsandjoy.com

The first few months of being a mom are tough and if we are all honest our focus is on our baby not ourselves - which is the way it should be.  Remember that all the celebrity moms you see in the magazines have people to help them do everything, although they often like us to believe otherwise .  Imagine if you had nannies, housekeepers, person assistants, personal trainers, hairstylists,clothes stylists and make-up artists at your disposal not to mention tons of money we would all look glamorous too. However we can all take very simple steps to maintain our sexiness and keep ourselves feeling like a woman as well as a mother:

*Make a clothes budget for you and treat yourself as often as you can.  You must make this a priority or the money will go elsewhere - you are worth it!

*Don’t be tempted to snack on kids leftover or eat their sweets this is a bad habit that will pile on the pounds without you realizing

*If you feel you need to loose a few pounds find a plan that works for you and stick to it.  You may find slimming classes work for you or doing it with a friend.  Walking with a friend is a great way to catch up on the gossip and loose weight all at the same time

*Schedule in a night out for yourself it doesn’t really matter what it is as long as it gives you a chance to dress up and feel sexy

*Try to have days in your normal life when you dress up nice and put on make-up it makes you feel really good.  Sometimes when you are at home with kids you can get out the way of making an effort.

*Plan nights out with your partner where you dress up and make a special effort for each other - you need time together as a couple to keep that spark ignited

*Nights in with your partner are also a brilliant idea and can be done more often as you don’t need babysitters.  Get the children to bed cook a nice meal, watch a film or do whatever you want and have fun - again the key is on dressing up and feeling sexy.

*You may not be able to find the time or be able to afford all the beauty treatment or pampering you used to enjoy but try to incorporate some pampering into your life.  Even if it is just very occasionally.

The key is to do what you can to keep yourself feeling sexy and alive and keep making an effort!!

Please visit my website:

http://www.tearstantrumsandjoy.com