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Home › Articles › Couple Time › Monkey Business

Monkey Business

At-home Play for New Parents

By C.J. Johnson

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After the baby arrives, new fathers may be startled by the changes in their daily routine and the more limited relaxation time they have with their spouse. But adding a child to the family doesn't mean an end to intimacy or entertainment time with a partner. Even with baby in tow, many couples have found ways to keep the excitement in their marriages.

Muscling Out Boredom
My husband and I did not experience a drastic change in our marriage after our first son was born, but after the second baby we were definitely more housebound. Searching for ways to connect at home as a couple, we implemented two successful changes into our routine.

Because we both enjoyed exercising and didn't want to leave our home with both kids to go to our local health club, we purchased a home gym. At the end of each day we found ourselves lifting weights or peddling on the stationary bike while we watched the evening news or an occasional television program. I lost all my pregnancy weight quickly, and my husband rediscovered his muscles. That exercise bike is almost on its last mile, and the weights haven't had a chance to collect dust. Working out together remains a very positive part of our marriage.

The second tradition we added into our lives is the envy of all my friends. For nearly four years now we have kept our "massage" night sacred. Each Sunday night after the children are asleep and our favorite television programs are on, we head to the quiet sanctuary of our bedroom, turn on the tube and take turns giving massages. It is a very relaxing, cost-free way to stay connected as a married couple.

Pasta and Pen Pals
We are not the only family to make changes for the better when a new baby was added to the mix. Diane and Tom MacPhail of Park City, Utah, had very active social lives before their baby came along. They traveled the world, went on scuba diving trips twice a year and went out to dinner at least three times a week.


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