31 Days of Romance – Day 10 – Dinner Table
2011
Finding simple ways to romance your family in the day to day life is, I believe, just as important as making bigger efforts to romance in bigger ways. It’s not that the child will necessarily see and recognize the effort in the moment, but it is a quiet comfort, a simple reminder, that “I see you. I love you. I am so happy you are mine.”
If we could convey that to our children both in words and actions every day of their childhood can you imagine what type of people they could grow up to be and the position we are putting ourselves in to be significant influences on them in the future?
Simplicity is truly key when trying to create daily opportunities for romance. The ideas that I share for simple, daily romance may seem boring, like too much work or something that you simply don’t care for – and that’s ok. The point is that you find something that isn’t too much extra effort for you to do in your home and hopefully my ideas will inspire that.
In our family we always eat dinner together, around the table. I am slowly discovering the simple ways I can turn this into an opportunity to romance my boys.
I shared last month how we started using china dinner plates back in July.
I also keep my eyes open for pretty, vintage table cloths, runners, place mats and cloth napkins at yard sales and keep the table dressed up.
Last week as I was changing out the table decor Judah asked me who was coming over because the table looked so beautiful. I told him no one was coming – I was making the table look beautiful for my three guys because I love them and like having things look nice for them.
I have been setting the table pretty for months and this was really the first time he acknowledged the decor – and really, that’s what romancing in the day to day should be. Not a show. Not a big deal. Just a simple routine, something a tad bit extra special. So that if the opportunity ever arises where you are asked why the answer is; just because I like you.
2 comments
Trackback e pingback
No trackback or pingback available for this article
So I've been working on observing my kids to find their unique personalities and needs. As a result I have changed the way I praise them.
My three and a half year old wants nothing more than to be a man like his daddy and is trying so hard to do some grown up tasks. I knew this but had not really thought about it. Then the other day he saw something that needed to be unboxed and put away and did it without being asked, did it well and did not go looking for recognition. (This does not happen often without my asking or a possible reward)
When I realized what he had done I took him over to where he had started and said "Thank you so much for helping Mommy without being asked, you did that just like Daddy would have. You are becoming so grown up!" He beamed! Then he replied in a very serious voice "Mommy thank you so much for saying that about me." Gave me a big hug and ran off to play. It made my heart happy. Normally I would have just said something like "Thanks for helping bud!" while he was running around. It is such a small change but means so much to my people pleaser, Daddy wanna be. It has been the same with my other two. I still have a long way to go but each step brings us closer.
Thanks
This brought tears to my eyes – how very sweet!! I love it, and I love that you got such great feedback and encouragement for your efforts!!