The Best Gift To Give Your Child

Text: Imelda Lee

It's comforting for kids to know their parents are still an item, says a family life coach in the first part of our cover story special.

When a couple is committed to their relationship, the children feel it. Whether or not children give much thought to the marital bonding they witness, they will be working from this framework when they themselves are in a relationship.

"The children are fully aware that mum and dad are an item. They find it amusing and comforting that their parents talk so frequently and laugh a lot," he says. "There are disagreements, but the fireworks are like sparklers in a child's hand. It only gets a little more heated when it involves the children. To the eldest, a couple who tease each other must have a lot going for them."

3 Ways to Keep Love's Fire Kindled

1. Treat each other with common courtesy and endearments. Make requests rather than demands.
2. See each other off and welcome each other back with a generous smile and hug.
3. Turn in at night on a positive note. Don't let an unresolved issue create that wedge in the confines of your bed. Agree to disagree. Realistically, not everything can be resolved at short notice if it is a contentious issue. Take time to process it amicably.

Want Deeper Intimacy?
Add SPICE, says Simon Sim.
Intimacy between couples involves opening their inner selves to each other.

SPIRITUAL Share your souls.
PHYSICAL Share your bodies exclusively with each other.
INTELLECT Share your thoughts.
COMPANIONSHIP Spend time together and discuss what happens during the time you are apart. No hard and fast rules. Do what works and what does not degenerate into a boring routine.
EMOTIONS Share your feelings. When your spouse shares, you listen without judgement. Admit your mistakes and apologies.




Extracted from Family:December 2005