Parenting and Valentine’s Day: an impossible combination?

Corporate to Kids - 11 Feb 20

Parenting and Valentine’s Day, do they stand a change of co-existing? I’m a parent and it’s almost Valentine’s Day, but does that mean I should neglect everything it stands for and ignore it? Valentine’s Day not parenting. I couldn’t ignore that if I tried. What I mean is, do parents and Valentine’s Day fall out of sync with each other and Valentine’s Day is kicked out of the marital bed once a child enters the relationship? It depends on who you speak to and how they view the day, but it’s not easy to manage the two.

Gift free zone

This week I spoke to my husband and asked (suggested) if we were doing anything for Valentine’s Day this year. I know the answer because we never buy each other presents for Valentine’s Day. But, I wanted to double-check so that there is no risk of a lavish pressie coming my way and the tumbleweed moment when my husband realises there is nothing for him. Be fair though, what the hell do you buy men on Valentine’s Day? Exactly, stress we don’t need.

Ice Maiden

When I pushed the point about Valentine’s being a commercial, pointless waste of money I decided to take it one (huge) step further. I suggested (told) my husband that it seemed a bit silly to buy each other a card. Not only is it a waste of money, but do we really need to prove our feelings with an overinflated piece of paper? I even tried to strengthen my argument by suggesting that cards are not at all good for the environment. I liked that one; topical and thoughtful. He agreed, but still called me the Ice Maiden. I think the chat went well.

Parenting and Valentine’s Day

I’m trying to remember if I was always such a bah humbug about Valentine’s. Or whether parenting and Valentine’s Day has just led to an irresolvable combination that is simply not compatible. Valentine’s Day is all about romance, but let’s face it, parenting isn’t. Trying to have a conversation without a child interrupting is near impossible, so how is a candlelit dinner leading to who knows what going to realistically occur? More like an early night for kip than anything more risque.

Include children?

When I googled parenting and Valentine’s Day what I found were lots of suggestions of crafts for the occasion. Think heart pop up cards, heart-shaped lollypops and how-to guides for sugar-free treats. Maybe that’s all relevant when your kids are a bit older and have genuine crushes at school (what age does that happen?) Not for my family I’m afraid. I hadn’t even considered getting the kids to make a card for Daddy until someone asked me if I was. It didn’t even cross my mind that my children would want to send me or the husband a Valentine’s card. I suppose it’s about love as a whole rather than just romance.

Maybe it’s me

Maybe I am missing something about Valentine’s Day and the poor husband suffers as a result. I know I’m missing the Halloween gene and possibly the school PTA gene too. Perhaps I’m just not that soppy or romantic, or certainly not specifically on one day of the year. I honestly don’t think he’s that bothered either. On the day this week, we are both at home in the evening and I will cook dinner and we can catch up together. That’s what we would do anyway. If he thinks there are any grand trips to Hallmark or Ann Summers, well sorry, I’m just too lazy and not invested in the concept of the big V.

To compromise I’ve decided I will ask the boys if they want to make cards for anyone at school because that’s cute and I’m all for a bit of creative genius card making. I won’t go out with the girls on Valentine’s evening, because that’s mean to my marriage. I won’t expect any card or present from my husband. But. That really juvenile part of me will check the post to see if I have a surprise card from a secret admirer. Because I still have that immature teenager nestled inside of me somewhere. Don’t we all?

Corporate to Kids

Who: Sarah - Queen of self-deprecation Job: from corporate HR career to Mum, Writer and Blogger Children: two boys with a 13 month age gap!! Obsessions: writing, Haribos, rainbows, coffee, fizz

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