Parenting Pointers: Little Switches

Even the best relationships can get a little bit stale if you don’t do things to keep them fresh, and right now Cottonelle and SocialMoms are encouraging us to think about what little switches we can make to add some excitement to our relationships.

Instead of trying to make huge changes all at once, and then failing or finding that they’re just too much of a change to keep up, try making just little switches. It doesn’t take as much of an investment in time or resources, and it is often enough to add some new life to your routine.

Here’s one little change that my husband and I tried doing recently – instead of asking, “How was your day?” ask a little more specific questions, such as “What was the best part of your day?” and “What was the most stressful part of your day?” This still gives each spouse a chance to vent if they need it, but also helps focus on something good from the day. Plus, you’re less likely to just get a one word answer of “Fine.” Bonus – this can also help with improving communication with your children!

Another easy change to make is being active. If you aren’t active at all, consider adding a 10-minute walk a few times a week with your family – or just with your significant other. It gets you moving, which is healthy, and it’s a good way to foster conversation (better than just watching TV). If you are active, but you’re active separately, consider finding a few activities that you can do together. You can encourage good sportsmanship and a sense of healthy competition.

Finally, try a shift in your attitude. It may not have a significant effect on your relationship at first, but if you’re able to make yourself more positive, it will have great benefits down the road. You don’t have to become a perky optimist overnight – in fact, some healthy realism is perfectly fine. But try to give others the benefit of the doubt – the person who cuts you off in traffic may be rushing to see the birth of their new baby, for example; or your spouse may have genuinely forgotten that your pet peeve is leaving the cupboards open. You can also try to be more intentional about your reactions to things. If something bad happens, reflect on your feelings – and the reasons behind those feelings. If it’s something you can change, then you can be proactive and make changes for the future. But if it’s something that you can’t change, then recognize your feelings for what they are, and then move on.

Little changes can make a big difference – so if you’re suffering from stagnation in your relationship, see what little changes you can make to freshen things up today!

You can find out more information about the Cottonelle Ultra Switch at the website or at Cottonelle on Facebook or @cottonellebrand.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Cottonelle blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”