That’s the Power of Love
by Alexander Tidd
Between packing lunches, changing diapers, attending school events, and Googling “how to remove slime from carpet,” it’s easy to let your romantic relationship fade into the background. Even the word “partner” can feel like something off a shared credit card statement instead of the love of your life.
But here’s the truth. If you have a partner in this wild ride, your relationship still matters. Not just to you, but to your kids too.
Whether you’re married, dating, sharing a last name, or just sharing the laundry load, kids benefit big time when they grow up watching their parents love and respect each other. It teaches them what safe, healthy love looks like. It shows them how to communicate, compromise, apologize, and celebrate. And maybe most importantly, it reminds them that love isn’t something you check off your to-do list. It’s something you live out loud.
Little Eyes Are Always Watching
You can tell your kid to be kind and thoughtful, but it won’t mean much if they don’t see you being kind and thoughtful with your co-pilot. Kids pick up on everything. The way you hug in the kitchen. The way you thank each other for the little things. The way you handle disagreements without slamming doors or slamming feelings.
When children see love that is gentle and strong, they learn that relationships are not about perfection. They are about intention. They are about choosing to show up for each other even when the dishwasher's broken and the toddler is on their third meltdown of the day.
And guess what? That includes love between two moms, two dads, or partners who don’t care what label goes on the mailbox. What matters is the love your kids grow up soaking in. The kind that feels steady. The kind that says, “We’re in this together, even on the hard days.”
Your Partnership Deserves More Than Scraps
The default setting for parents is often survival mode. It’s not your fault. The demands are real and relentless. But when your partner only gets the leftover bits of your time and attention, things start to fray. You might be teammates in the trenches, but you also deserve to be teammates on a date, on the couch, or laughing in the hallway because one of you did that thing you’ve done since your first year together.
Prioritizing your relationship doesn’t mean ignoring your kids. It means teaching them that love isn’t supposed to disappear after the baby monitor turns on. It means showing them that being a great parent and a great partner are not in competition. They feed each other. The more connected you are, the more solid your foundation is for everything else.
So How Do You Keep the Spark?
Glad you asked. Here are four fun, easy-to-make-happen ideas to keep romance alive without needing a private chef or a live-in nanny.
1. Turn Errands into Dates
Got to hit the grocery store or the hardware shop? Leave the kids with a sitter or a friend for an hour and turn your errands into a quick hangout. Grab a coffee on the way. Laugh about the weird cereal names. Make eyes in aisle seven. It’s not fancy, but it’s together.
2. Have a Stay-Up-Late Date Night
After the kids are asleep, resist the pull of separate screens. Light a candle. Split a dessert. Watch an old movie you used to love. Or just talk without interruptions. Those quiet moments add up and help you remember why you picked each other in the first place.
3. Send a Flirty Text During the Day
Nothing NSFW. Just a “thinking of you” or “remember that night in Chicago” kind of message. It keeps the connection going through the day and reminds you both you’re more than co-parents. You’re partners with history and spark.
4. Celebrate Small Wins Together
Got the laundry folded? Survived a hard parenting moment? That deserves a toast. Celebrate with a goofy dance, a victory snack, or a shared high five that turns into a hug. These rituals of joy keep you close, even when the days feel long.
A Strong Partnership Is a Gift to Your Kids
When your kids see you prioritize each other, they’re learning one of the most valuable lessons in life. That love is work, yes, but it is also play and joy and respect and persistence. They are learning that relationships are not about sacrificing yourself to care for someone else. They are about growing together, lifting each other up, and being each other’s safe place.
Your kids don’t need a perfect love story. They need a real one. One where people laugh, forgive, make up, dance in the kitchen, and choose each other again and again. You’re not just modeling romance. You’re modeling resilience.
So go on. Hug in front of your kids. Hold hands at the park. Steal a kiss while making dinner. Make time for each other even when it feels impossible.
Because when love grows at home, everyone blooms.
