People either love or hate Valentine’s Day. As a person who despises the color pink and anything frilly, it may surprise you to discover that I LOVE this sugary sweet Hallmark-hyped holiday.
However, this day of romance changes a bit come parenthood. No longer am I searching the aisles of Victoria’s Secret for the perfect lacy bra to entice my sweetie. I *am* however arguing with my 1st grader in the aisles of Target over the fact that he DOES NOT need Star Wars, Minecraft & Angry Birds valentines since he does not have 72 students in his class. One box will do just fine.
Instead of decorating funny & sweet “coupons” for my husband to “redeem” whenever the mood strikes him… I am wrestling to cut a hole into a “Valentine” shoe box that my kids have decorated while they yell, “DON’T MESS UP MY SPARKLE STICKERS!!”
There is no candlelight dinner with champagne and roses. Now I am (quietly) cursing Pinterest over my failed Hershey Kiss pipe cleaner rings or making some Valentine pancakes for the kids.
I love my life as a mom, and holidays are so much fun now that I get to enjoy them through the eyes of my children. But ladies… don’t forget your man. I get it, we are all busy. If you have time to bake cupcakes for your kids school Valentine’s party and pack up dozens of tiny envelopes for their class… then you can make some time to show your husband that you care.
Here are 10 quick and easy ideas to show your hubby some love this month:
- Sneak a sweet love note in his car.
- Text him reasons why you love him throughout the day.
- Make him a special lunch.
- Offer to give him a massage.
- Cook him his favorite dinner (or buy his favorite takeout, if you can’t cook, like me)
- Give him a hand-made card.
- Wear a dress or a top you know is his favorite.
- Take the kids somewhere so your hubby can take a nap, or watch one of his favorite movies… in peace. (sometimes when you are a busy parent, being left alone can be the most romantic gift EVER)
- Make him a little gift bag with some of his favorite things. (snacks he enjoys but rarely buys for himself, a nice bottle of alcohol, Starbucks gift card, etc)
- When the kids go to bed, put down your phone, turn off the TV, pour a glass of wine and catch up with each other!
Involve your kids, too. Bring out old pictures from when you guys met and explain where it was, how old you were, etc. During dinner tell stories of vacations you took together or the first time he met your parents or vice-versa. The kids will love hearing them and seeing pictures of you from years ago.
Life with kids is an amazing and beautiful blessing… but don’t forget about the one person you decided to take that journey with. Take a moment this month to remember how things were before you & your love became “mom & dad.”
LOVE this list! It's so easy to forget the man in your life when your days are consumed with dirty diapers and toddler tantrums! I know I have to start making more time for my husband! 🙂
I know.. I find myself focusing on making the holidays so special for my kids.. that I forget I used to take that effort and put it towards my husband. 😉
thanks for these great ideas. Life with four kiddos gets so hectic, it's good to be reminded to celebrate my love.
I can only imagine! I have a tough time keeping up with 2! Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!
I love your most romantic gift ever – so true! Great tips
I love your most romantic gift ever – so true! Great tips
I love your list, but I love the arguing with your son about the Valentine's cards most! LOL.. ohhhh story of my life!
haha I know! I'm like "Are you giving your entire SCHOOL valentines??"
Awww, I love these ideas! I agree that it's easy to forget the romance when you're making Valentine's Day mailboxes and writing cards for little kids. I'm going to try at least one thing on this list!
It just happens so quick.. I realized how much effort I put into the kids and all their activities and I thought my husband must feel kind of neglected!! ha!
I think this list should be a mandatory "Rules of Marriage" list, not just for valentines! It's so easy to forget about our spouses, but seeing it like this in black and white is a great reminder! Thank you!
I agree, I do try to text nice things.. but I think with Valentines day moms go crazy making cute stuff for the kids, that husband's must be like "what the heck!" 😉
These are great. Our Valentines day started getting disrupted 3 years ago when we spent it in thr maternity ward waiting on our niece to be born. Then 2 years ago when I was 8 months pregnant, he surprised me with a hotel stay and I slept great. He knew just what I needed. Last year, he was so excited to celebrate with 2 girls. He spoiled us. This year we're going to a big birthday party. So I'm planning a romantic night for us.
Yay! Have fun at your party and I am jealous! haha
Great list! Number 9 is what I always do for Valentines Day and his birthday-he loves it! And number 8 is the perfect gift for ME! Ha!
haha mine too.. if I give my husband a bag of beef jerky and a bottle of Canadian Club, he's a happy guy! 😉
Your life sounds incredibly like mine, I can so relate. And these ideas are all very doable. Thanks for getting me thinking about Valentines Day and not letting it slip by without doing something special for my hubby,
I feel ya! We are all super busy, but we need to take just a QUICK moment for our husbands! (they need the extra attention sometimes!) Have a great week!
I love all these ideas -he always remembers me so I should make more of an effort to remember him!
I feel the same way! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment!
Oh this is so spot on! Great ideas 🙂 my husband and I were just having the discussion…"we're not getting each other presents are we?? Let's just go to dinner", who has time to think about presents!
Yeah we don't get each other presents for hardly anything anymore, since we always would rather save money! ha! I hope you are having a great week!
That is really sweet! When I was single I couldn't stand Valentine's Day..but when I found my "mate" its meaning changed…and while I have a couple more Valentine's now..you're right, I can't forget the most important one!! xoxo
And I am guilty of this in lots of aspects, I always work so hard to make things special for the kids, but I forget I used to put that same effort into my sweet hubby! 🙂 Hope you are having a great week!
Yes! Love this so much – we all need to remember the men in our lives!
I hope you are having a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping over! 😉
Oh, yes. I was thinking the same. Great ideas! I always love making him a yummy dessert!
Great ideas! A lot of them are so simple too. My husband thinks this holiday is just for women, but I'm so excited to surprise him with a special gift this year.
What a great post! Love all your simple ideas of letting your man know you still care. It is easy to get caught up in life and forget about the little things that really do matter. You wouldn't be in this situation without your man so be sure to thank him too! My favorite was simply putting your phone down, how easy is that?! Yet, how often do we actually do it? You can show your love in little ways, it doesn't always have to be big gestures. I also love reading stories about struggles other mothers have, my son insisted this year that he needed one of every kind of Valentine for his class of 13 kids (that was an awkward Walmart trip). Just knowing other moms have the same difficulties it a relief for me. Thanks for the great tips.
Haha I am glad you can relate to the Valentine's shopping experience! I know I am so guilty of making sure everything is PERFECT for my kids.. but that is how I used to treat my husband!! I need to remind myself to treat him special as well!
This is an awesome blog, and I admit I being a man use to go all out on valentines day when the wife and I were dating. But after two kids, twenty two years of marriage – I've tone down a lot.
I like your suggestions and may be I will try them – of course the wife always wants flowers and candy. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! And yes.. we always love some flowers and candy! I checked out your blog, you have a beautiful family but I couldn't see a place to comment! 😉
Valentine's Day is a little different for us than it was a few years ago, but we still try to do something special for each other. I love the list you've made here and your wedding pic is precious! Good stuff, Lauren!
Thank you! I can't believe how TAN I was.. now I am forever pale as can be! ha! Have a great week!
Yes, I totally agree! Kids are great, but having them around can certainly take some of the romance and spontaneity in a marriage … but it doesn't have to be that way. Good post!
Thank you! I hope you are having a great week! 🙂
This was so sweet! And absolutely spot on. If i have time to bake cupcakes, make valentines etc.. for the kids then sure better be able to do a little something something for the hubbs. The note in the car idea is perfect.
Yeah, Valentine's day was never a huge holiday for us before kids, but we did do something nice or go to dinner… I feel like its almost a bigger deal since I have so much to do for the kids… that I have to remind myself to include my hubs! 😉
Catching up with each other is so important, especially after the kids come. Great list!
It is def important, but so easy to forget sometimes when we are always so busy! 😉 I hope you are having a great week!
What an excellent reminder. We don't have kids getting in the way yet, but after being married a while, it's easy to take the holiday for granted. I forgot what it's like to be single on the 14th a long time ago, so I need to make a special effort this year!
involving kids in vday is a great idea… but when they go to bed – make sure and have that champagne dinner! 😉
So true. I have been so consumed in finding my daughter the perfect Valentine outfit and gift that I haven't planned anything for my husband!
A very important reminder. Poor hubby gets put on the back burner all the time. We have started instituting one "date night" a week with no electronics, just hanging out. A good reminder as to why I married him in the first place!
Amanda
http://www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com
I always do something special for my hubby on Valentine's Day. Even though he totally hates the occasion, I like to do something special for him… even if it's just a card and a bottle of beer LOL.
Thanks so much for sharing and linking it up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
This is a great list and post. I will definitely do #10. My favorite thing to do in the world is drink a glass (or two) of wine with my husband and catch up on life.
Great list. My husband is deployed, so I sent him a package of goodies.
Such great & practical reminders! Thanks for sharing, hope you guys have a great Valentines Day 🙂
awww! love this! That photo of you two is so adorable. Hope you guys have a very special Valentine's Day <3
This is a great list for hubby. I bet he'd especially like the nap…and then of course the alone time with you. 🙂 Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We'd love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/02/05/home-matters-linky-party-23/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
What a great post Love it! Pinned and tweeted. We love to party with you, so I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. That would be so awesome.
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Great ideas, always something to remember. Thank you for linking up at Pin worthy Wednesdays, this has been pinned.
Never forget hubby! Now that it's just the two of us we plan a little get away each year. This year we can't go until next weekend, but we know it's our Valentine treat. Thanks for sharing these great ideas with Share Your Cup.
hugs,
Jann
God gave us our husband's for a reason, we sure need to make the most of it. Every day should be Valentine's Day with the love you have for each other and the love of God in your life! 🙂