Second Honeymoons For Parents: Restore The Romance In Your Marriage

By Shilpa F D’Mello

For couples who are a few years into their marriage, a honeymoon is thought to be a thing of the past. The romance, the serene locations, the fun and the ‘newness’ of marriage, all put together, make the honeymoon a happy memory that most couples would love to relive.

Ever wonder why people go for honeymoons soon after their wedding? Perhaps because a honeymoon vacation gives newlyweds the time and space to get to know each other, to get closer and adjust to their new roles of husband and wife; to build a bond, to make promises and to look forward to a happy married life.

But don’t we all wish that life was as simple as that?

A honeymoon may last for a few days; the honeymoon ‘spirit’ may last for a few months or sometimes more. Sooner or later though, routine seeps into the bliss of married life and once the baby arrives, the few traces of romance that are left also begin to die out.

The only way to recreate the magic of a honeymoon is to have another one. Here are a few excellent reasons why you should consider it.

Every marriage goes through its ups and downs, and one way to go from ‘down-in-the-dumps’ to ‘never-better’ is a second honeymoon. The past few years may have created a distance between you two and communication may not be as easy as before.

If this is true for you, then a second honeymoon could be your best bet. A few days to yourself will help you chat up, discuss issues and try to achieve a consensus.

However, even if you have no pressing issues to be resolved, a second honeymoon will bring you closer to your partner and give you that ‘couple’ time that you may have been craving for a long time.

Sandhya Rodriques, married for 6 years and mother of a 4-year-old says, “We are a joint family, and although my in-laws give us a lot of space, we still don’t get much time with each other. That is why we often go out of town, just the two of us. Once out of the house we realize that there’s so much we haven’t shared and expressed.”

While Sandhya can leave her child with her in-laws and go on a holiday without any guilt, not all couples can afford the luxury. Take Niharika for instance. “Second honeymoon? What is that? I have a 2-year-old daughter and no support system at all. Forget about going out of town, even movies and dinners are now out of question,” she says.

We understand that for a middle class couple, living in a nuclear family, coping with demanding careers and the responsibility of parenting, taking off on their own can be next to impossible. There are a few alternatives though. If you cannot leave the kids with anyone, take them along. The ‘familymoon’ as a concept is fast becoming common across the world, so give it a shot.

To make things easier, try to find hotels with babysitting facilities and activities that will keep the little ones busy. If you have domestic help, take them along, so that the kids are be taken care of, while you have a little time for yourself. Or else you can opt for the a resort with a baby-sitting service.

Revive your romance with a second honeymoon

Also, remember that once you get back home, you’re likely to be more expressive and loving towards your partner. This is not only good for you but also your children – for two important reasons.

One, since you and your partner have fewer ‘issues’ now, you are more responsible and attentive towards the kids and also you are providing them with the role model of a healthy, happy marriage.

Now that you’re warmed you up to the idea of this romantic escapade, here are some tips to ensure a successful getaway.

1. Plan it together: Plan your second honeymoon just like the first some. Get involved, make lists, do research, pick out do-able options and then arrive on the perfect dates, venue and itinerary.

2. Make it special: When we say honeymoon we mean a honeymoon. Choose a special location. It could be a five star or a budget hotel, a hill station in India or a trip out of the country… whatever it is, it has to be special!.

3. Indulge: Relax, indulge and pamper yourself. You have earned this break, so make full use of it!

4. Discuss, but do not fight: You may want to resolve some issues, but fighting and arguing is strictly not allowed!

5. Get unplugged: While a few phone calls home are imperative, especially if you have left the kids back home, do not carry office stress and other worries to your honeymoon.

6. Announce to everyone that you’re on your honeymoon: Don’t shy away from telling people that you are on your honeymoon so that they leave you alone.

This article may be reprinted with the complete author bio and a link to http://www.lovingyourchild.com

Additional resources:

Wedded Bliss Foundation Formula - Set your relationship up to be strong, vital and fun forever. Learn effective forgiveness tools, compassionate and honest conflict resolution skills, simple and effective tools for communication, and ways to build huge intimacy and closeness.
Parents in Love: 121 Dating Ideas – Save yourself and your family the cost of painful turmoil and difficult parenting plans! Give your children a secure, happy and loving home by dating your spouse and keeping the romance alive.
50 Secrets of Blissful Relationships – Learn how to reconnect with your mate no matter how stubborn or distant they are, and no matter how hopeless or difficult your situation seems. In less than 5 minutes, you could be using these proven tips to reconnect and improve your relationship… starting immediately.