It is not really a strong relationship if you do not know your partner well. It takes time. But sometimes even when it has been long enough, there would be plenty of things you would not know about your partner. It is a given that you have to be a Mr-know-it-all. From their cute little habits to their worst regret, you should know everything!
But how can you do that? Well, you can begin by asking them these fifty questions.
50 questions to ask your partner to know them better today
What is the most embarrassing thing you did ever?
What is your worst regret?
Have you ever hurt somebody? If you did, do you regret it?
What’s this one secret you have not told anybody?
Money or happiness? What matters the most?
What makes you feel alive?
What is that one thing you said to somebody that you wished you never said?
What has been your greatest blessing in disguise?
If you could go back in time, and undo one thing. What would it be?
What do you consider worth not forgiving?
Do you listen to your heart or head while making decisions?
What was your first impression when you met me?
Have you been completely honest with me?
What is that one thing that you have never done?
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
What kind of life do you desire?
What do you do when you encounter a failure? What is your response mechanism?
What are your financial priorities?
What is that one thing you consider special about yourself?
Do you think you have some perceptions that are not righteous, to begin with?
How do you respond to the mistakes you made?
What is your favorite memory?
What is your least favorite memory?
Who is the person you trust the most with your life?
Do you have any habits you would like to change?
Do you feel learning has an end?
What were your major turning points in life?
What is the story of your life?
When have you been your most vulnerable self?
How have you changed in the past five years?
Who are the people you regret acquainting yourself with?
What is that one book or one quote that changed your life?
What is that one thing you cannot ever forget?
What is the most challenging setback you ever encountered?
What would you do if you would be the last person left in the world?
How do you feel about me?
Who do you idealize in history?
What is the great lesson you learned in your past relationships?
If you had the chance to talk to your future self, what advice would you give them?
What is that one piece of advice you give others but do not follow yourself? (Knowing that you must)
What is that one thing you want to forget?
How do you find yourself changed? And what changed you?
What’s your opinion about friendship?
Are you someone who likes space, or likes to be held on no matter what you say to the other person?
What is that one thing you wish you could do like others?
When was the last time you cried? And why did you cry?
What is the one thing you are most proud of yourself?
Do you ever regret not standing up for yourself or others when you had a chance?
What has high school been for you, a nightmare or a daydream?
What are you most insecure about?
Lastly,
I hope these questions help you know your partner better. But always remember, knowing someone is always a journey that can never end. Every day you cover distances, and every day is a baby step towards uncovering all the layers of them. So be patient, make communication your priority and that would be enough.
Hey, do you think you know your partner better? Feel free to share your opinions and stories in the comment section.
In a time when screens are more important and easier to entertain than creativity, it’s more important to teach kids how to be creative on their own. For me, I’ve always believed letting my girls play on their own without my influence would allow for more creativity in the future.
Sometimes, the internet or batteries aren’t available (meaning the iPad or phone is not charged) so entertaining themselves with other things is very important. My husband and I are both entrepreneurs, and sometimes we can’t always play with them or get something they need right away, so being able to get creative themselves has been important.
The earlier you can teach your kid to be creative, the more their little minds start working and growing. This can be done in various ways, and I will detail a few ways we did it with our girls. And I should note, no two kids are alike, so what works for one may not work exactly the same for the next.
How To Raise Creative Kids
Everyone has access to creativity. As a parent, it’s in your hands to help your child tap their creative specialty. You can support them as they navigate their way to the creative arts, help them hone their senses and mind to cultivate their creativity. So, what can you do to raise creative kids?
Fuel Their Passion
Encourage their enthusiasm for what they’re interested in, be it music, robotics, sports, or gardening. Be their biggest motivator. Expose them to pursuits available in your area and guide them as they find where their heart is.
Offer Choices
Encourage them to think independently by offering selections, such as movies, music, food, bedsheets, pet names, or clothes.
Celebrate Their Efforts
Rewards can be a good motivator but focus on their effort, on how they’re able to achieve things instead of the achievement itself. Being objective in how you commend them will help them focus on the process, which fosters independent thinking.
Be Messy
Whether you like it or not, messes are important in raising a child. It is with the mess of paints, clothes, art materials that their creativity will develop. It might be an inconvenience, but it’s temporary, and the creative benefits will outweigh the overwhelming mess.
Let them Be Unique
Develop their individuality by allowing them to be different. Be their haven against the pressure of the society to follow the norms. Help them be comfortable in their oddity and let them have a different perspective of the world.
Be Open to Unstructured Time
Kids get bored, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Instead of filling their idle time with structured entertainment or activities, brainstorm what they want to do. Help them figure out what lits their signal fire because this could be how their creativity starts.
Let Them Play With Open-Ended Toys
Since open-ended toys can be played in various ways, these foster creativity, children can play with these toys based on their interests and imagination.
Open-Ended Toys That Encourage Creativity
Now, here’s a list of open-ended toys that encourage creativity:
Wooden Blocks
Blocks encourage children to design, build and imagine.
Colored Pebbles
Kids can play with colored pebbles by transferring and filling or use this for sorting too. It’s is a good practice on their motor skill development.
Animal Figurines
For role-play and pretend play, this would be the best choice. Your child can practice recognition and identification in playing with animal figurines. It’s is also suitable for sensory play, and they can practice storytelling too. Real pets work really well for this as well, and it helps the pet become used to the kids.
Play Silks
From playing peek-a-boo using play silks or scarves to building forts, this is good for sensory play, especially for babies and toddlers.
Easel
For children who love to doodle, this is an excellent addition to the play area. You can also use this to teach a new language or learning to read.
Wood Peg Dolls
You can get your kids a multi-colored set for peg dolls or those in neutral colors. This toy encourages storytelling and role-playing, focusing on literacy and language.
Communication is a two-way street. However, if you happen to have a partner who does not communicate often, and does not share their feelings, it can be quite disappointing and annoying for you. But you cannot blame them either, because it’s all about comfort and one’s choices. At the same time, you cannot neglect communication because it’s healthy for your relationship and your partner’s wellbeing, especially if they keep their vulnerabilities to themselves and eventually it makes them crack up.
So, what do you do in this scenario? Well, first you can try to get your partner to open up. Here’s how you can do that –
5 ways to get your partner open up
1. Be honest with them and make them feel comfortable
First and foremost, be honest with them. If you witness a changed behavior, then simply ask, “How are you?” “What has been bothering you?” “Did something happen?”
Let them know that they need to be honest with you. Let them know how their silence is killing you. While you are at it, always maintain your calm. Do not be furious, it is no way to get them to open up to you. Remember, you have to make them comfortable, not afraid and infuriated.
2. Share your vulnerabilities
Sometimes your partner will feel uncomfortable being vulnerable in front of you, especially if you are in a new relationship. This is when you have to take the first step, and share your own stories, your own vulnerabilities.
Let them know about the time you were crumbling, falling on your knees. While you are at it, let them know it’s okay. Everyone feels this way, and it’s natural because it is a part of being a human. And they should not be afraid to do the same in front of you. You would not judge them, instead, you will do all you can to lift them. You are their safe haven.
3. Be a good listener
When you want people to uncover their life in front of you, you have to be a good listener. Let them know that you are there to listen. Let them know it’s important to let out because it does feel better in the end. Once they start, listen to them quietly, and then respond. But just so you know, you don’t always have to respond. You can just hold their hand, hug them, and let them know that you are with them every step of the way.
4. Be more understanding
Understanding is the essence of any relationship. However, if you do not make efforts to understand your partner, yell at them, pour all your mood swings and whims at the time when they are struggling, then they would never open up with you.
The key here is to be a bit more understanding. To do that, it’s best to place yourself in their shoes and imagine how they must be feeling. In that case, how would you want people to treat you? You might not feel their pain but you can certainly understand it.
5. Set a time for talking
By this, we do not mean that you have to create a schedule, wherein you would talk at every fixed hour of the day. No, what we mean is, decide a time to talk because your timing matters a lot. If you are talking to them when they are exhausted or occupied with their work, it’s of no use. Instead, do it whenever you both aren’t preoccupied.
Ps, A friendly reminder, your talks must not lead to fights, it will give them another reason not to open up with you.
Lastly,
All you can do is try. Even if all these things do not work, don’t give up, maybe all they need is a little space. Forcing conversations when they are going through something, or when they need space, would do more harm than good. So let them be, allow them some time, and wait once they feel okay again.
Hey, how do you get your partner to open up? Do you have some ideas and opinions you can share? We are all ears, drop them in the comments below.
Back to School Events – always for the kids and college students, but what about the Moms left behind?
It’s that time of year again! The kids are going back to school and the parents are getting ready for a new routine. Whether your child is starting kindergarten or returning for another year of high school, there are a few things you can do to help them (and yourself) transition back into the school routine. This can be a challenging time for both parents and children. But it doesn’t have to be!
Don’t get me wrong, this is my 4th year doing back to school but my first where both girls didn’t stay home with me at least one day.
And quite frankly, I’m pretty bored.
I thought I’d have plenty of time to get all the things done, but I don’t have motivation.
I’d rather do nothing and spend all my time worrying about leaving my littlest teary eyed at drop off.
So, I’ve created a list of my top things to help us mamas (and dads because I’ve seen quite a few in the same position as me) get back on track with this back to school madness.
Because that’s really what it is. It’s just as much an adjustment for us as it is for our children, whatever the age.
Back to School Solutions for Parents
The first step in getting back into routine is coffee and/or mushroom coffee. When I say coffee, I’m not talking any coffee, I’m talking a really good one that doesn’t leave an impact on the environment for said kids. The same kids who are no longer attached to your every move at least 8 hours a day.
Woken Coffee to be exact.
The pods are biodegradable and work perfectly in an espresso machine. I love that the Vanilla flavor doesn’t resemble Espresso too much that I can still enjoy it like a morning coffee rather than an afternoon treat with dessert!
While we are talking about food, find yourself a few new favorite places that you take yourself, by yourself. I have spots that the kids and I go to together and other spots that only Steve and I visit. And then there are spots that are completely separate we visit as a family.
I’m talking about a pretty little spot that you always wished you could go to with your girlfriends or guy friends and spend hours on end and not miss a second because your attention isn’t divided trying to attend to your kiddos.
Basically, I’m talking about places you’d love to spend all the time in the world at, but can’t because you always get rushed when there, or can’t go because it isn’t something that anyone else would go with you.
Another thing, get yourself some snacks you can keep at home that only you get to enjoy. They can be healthy or an indulgent option. I love the treats I found from Sugarfina. They sell them at Nordstrom, have a location at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and online. (The coffee gummy bears and the cocktail line are a must!)
Next thing on the list is trying things you haven’t ever had the chance to do before.
Things like shopping by yourself (y’all know about the mindless wanders down Target’s isles); getting a blow out (The Drybar is a Gamechanger!); having a waxing treatment that you’ve never tried before (Lunchbox Wax is a great one here in the valley); or try out some new beauty products (big fan of Ulta or Sephora for this!). You can take them home and try them. I found a few products online that I love from Silk Therapeutics to help my eyes not feel (actually look) so tired and a Vitamin C serum to help restore my skin for an extra treat.
Many don’t associate eating better or fitness until the New Year. I like to start this when school starts as it feels like a new year. My favorite workout lately has been spin and I love love love The Madison Scottsdale!
Steve and I have been drinking celery juice each morning to help us get on a more healthy trend in all areas. The Medical Medium protocol is my next step to completely get on the healthy trend! And I’m not just talking my physical health, I’m also talking about my mental health.
When you go to the grocery store or farmers market, grab yourself some fresh flowers.
I always grab a few different kinds to make my own bouquet but you can buy one that’s pre-made for you. I love Trader Joe’s because they are so affordable and have such a good selection to make my own but Costco, Walmart, and Kroger stores have great pre-made selections.
These are a few ideas I’m going to try to get back into a back to school routine. Don’t think if you don’t have kids, you can’t do these. The tips and ideas above can apply to anyone in a rut or having a hard time getting adjusted again. Here are some of the other ideas now that we are post COVID-19 to help stay relevant in the conversation.
While the school system has been through a lot of changes over the past year, one thing remains the same: the importance of a child’s education. As a parent, you play an essential role in your child’s education. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the school year:
– Get involved in your child’s education. Attend school functions, meet with their teachers, and help with homework when needed. Your involvement will show your child that you value their education and sets them up for success.
– Stay up to date on school announcements and events. Check the school website or sign up for the school’s email list to ensure you don’t miss important information.
– Create a routine and stick to it. A consistent routine will help your child know what to expect each day and make the transition back to school easier.
– Be supportive and positive. This is a big adjustment for your child and they may be feeling nervous or anxious. A positive attitude from you will go a long way in helping them feel confident and ready to take on the new school year.
The Washington Post has some great tips for parents as the back-to-school season begins. One piece of advice is to make sure that your young people have plenty of time to adjust to the new school year. This means getting them involved in a child care program or another activity that will help them ease back into a routine. It’s also important to be flexible and understand that your child may need some extra time and attention during this transition. In addition, it’s helpful to talk to other parents and family members about their experiences with back-to-school. By sharing information and advice, you can help make the process smoother for everyone involved.
The transition back to school for parents can be difficult, especially for working parents. The coronavirus pandemic has made it even more difficult for parents to juggle their work and home responsibilities. Here are some tips for parents to help make the transition back to school a little easier.
First, try to establish a routine for yourself and your family. Having a set schedule will help everyone know what to expect and when things need to get done. Secondly, take some time for yourself. Even if it’s just a few minutes each day, find time to do something that you enjoy. This will help you relax and recharge so that you can better handle the challenges of parenting.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with your child’s school district. If you’re unsure of where your child’s school is located or what the school day schedule looks like, don’t hesitate to reach out to the district office or your child’s teacher. It’s also a good idea to review the list of supplies your child will need for the year. While most schools provide basic supplies like pencils and paper, there may be some specific items that are needed for your child’s grade or class.
Finally, reach out to other parents for support. There are likely many other parents in your situation and they can be a great resource for advice and support.
If I forgotten anything on this list, or if you have other ideas, I’d love for you to leave me a comment and share with others in our community!
There’s no doubt about it that this year has been different from the rest. We are all stuck in lockdown and chaos amidst the Covid 19 situation. Our professional lives are suffering because of that and our romantic lives as well (at least to some extent). We cannot go out to discover the town or for fancy dinners, and enjoy our partner’s company. Even after the chaos settles, we may not be able to go out and do things like before.
As much as we hate this, we cannot help but accept it is necessary to stay low when there’s a pandemic outside. But who says you cannot have your dates right from the comfort of your homes?
You definitely can. Thank us later, because we are here with plenty of ideas for you to enjoy your dates like nothing has changed.
10 Romantic at-home Date Night Ideas
1. Have a movie night
What sounds like a perfect combo is a romantic movie and your beloved. If you cannot go out for movies, you can very well create a theatre right at your home with the help of a portable projector. You can also use a laptop if you cannot acquire a projector.
While you are at it, set up an ambiance, decorate the room with dim lights, cook delicious food, and cuddle up for a romantic movie marathon.
2. Have a game night
This is the best alternative if you want to make your dates both romantic and fun. Just get the table ready with your favorite games, be it poker or any other board games that you both like to play.
3. Wine and dine
Or perhaps you can just go simple and classy by having an at-home dinner with a glass of wine. To make it even more romantic, you can try and cook for each other.
Once again, you can set the ambiance accordingly, by adding in some dim lights, playing some romantic tracks, and lighting candles, all that you think can make your date perfect.
4. Karaoke nights
If you are a bad singer, don’t be afraid; just be assured that any relationship is incomplete without your partner listening to your bad, off-pitched singing voice. That is the fun right there.
You can set up a karaoke night for yourself, sing at the top of your voice, jam on your favorite songs, and laugh your ass off later.
5. Cook together
Using the three words to describe your feelings is just too mainstream. Ever thought of doing so the other way? Perhaps by cooking your partner’s favorite food or just cooking together? If you haven’t yet. Please do. Let your relationship be tasty as the food you will cook.
6. Have a dance-off
They were right when they said that we are the happiest when we dance. Well then imagine, dancing with the person who makes you happy? What will it look like – double happiness? Yes, why not!
So, both of you, get in your dancing shoes, be your craziest self, and dance like no one’s watching.
7. Simply watch the stars from your terrace or backyard
Imagine just laying and doing nothing but watching the stars holding each other’s hands. Feels so magical! No wonder why they do it in all the rom-coms. It’s just so romantic.
8. Paint together
Your special someone is the one with whom you can act like a kid, and they won’t judge you, but be all in. So, go get hold of your painting brushes, and paint canvases, or each other’s faces, have all the fun you can.
9. Read a book together
You might have watched a movie together, but have you ever read a book together? It’s just so uncommon that your partner will never anticipate it, and enjoy it at the same time if they are an avid reader.
If you find it hard to read through one book, you can consider switching to an audiobook instead.
10. Video games
Board games and video games are not the same. Video games deserve a different mention because they are addictive and fun at the same time. Just switch on the play-station, and be ready for a game battle.
Well, that’s it. I hope we helped you create a perfect date night right from the comfort of your homes. So just snuggle up, in the warm blankets (or not) and have one of the most beautiful nights of your life.
Have some ideas to share! Great, we are all ears. Feel free to drop them in the comments section.
Becoming a mother is life-altering in more ways than a woman can imagine. You find yourself swept up in the bustle and beauty of raising your kid(s), and it is a rewarding journey indeed. However, with motherhood comes so many difficult responsibilities, and somewhere between all the dirty diapers and the homework help, it’s easy for a busy mom to start losing parts of her identity slowly until the only identity she has is that of a mom.
And yes, it takes great perseverance and patience to be a mom. But, it’s not necessary that just because you are a mom, you cannot be anything else. Motherhood is a big part of your identity, but not the entirety of it. There is a life waiting for you outside motherhood. And you are only killing your own dreams and desires by depriving yourself of them.
You have to realize, you are a talented, hard-working woman who has dreams of her own, interests of her own, and you need to nurture that part of you as well. After all, you cannot be a good mother if you cannot set an example for your child on how important it is to love yourself.
Carving out a part of your world outside motherhood is something you owe to yourself. It’s time to stop neglecting the inner you and start showering her with love instead. Here are a few pointers on how you can find yourself beyond the identity of a mother.
How to have a Life of your own Beyond Motherhood
1) Spend some time with your friends instead of being cooped up in the house all day with the kids
It is so important to have some time when you can socialize with people of your own age and interests. You are allowed to have dinner with a friend or two once a week, to rejuvenate and recharge yourself. Not just an emotional vent, but being around people who share the same interests and life goals as you also helps you find your inspiration once more.
2) Be content with what you have while also striving for improvement
Life is a paradox of being satisfied with what you have while also working for more. And the key to mastering that balance is to stop comparing yourself with others, or your past self. Yes, there can be a genius mom who is also a business mogul, but if that’s not you, it’s still fine. You have your own talents, and you should focus on how you can nurture them while still being fair to your kids.
3) Learn the language of self-care
This is probably the most important and most neglected aspect. You need to take care of yourself while also taking care of your children, because if you don’t, there will come a time when you will burn out, and that’s neither good for you nor your kids.
So, consider having a day for pampering yourself while your hubby looks after the kids. Make sure that you are just as looked after as your children.
4) Alone time is important
Just like spending time with your friends is a way of recharging yourself, spending some time on your own is a way of realizing what you want from life in the long run. It can be just those fifteen extra minutes when you wake up in the morning, but it needs to be maintained regularly.
5) Remember what your lust for life was
Often, you get so swept up in family life that everything in your life becomes family-related. You forget where your passions lay as a youth, along with your hobbies, and your interests. It’s time you dust the cobwebs off and start engaging in an old hobby or find a new one to keep you motivated and happy beyond motherhood.
Being a mom is no piece of cake. But, it’s important not to lose your sense of self in the process of becoming a good mother. Your children learn from you, and the onus is on you to set an example for them on how to love yourself and work on your dreams while also being a successful mother and a wife. If you were lost, let this be your wake-up call. It’s time for you to carve your identity beyond motherhood.
motivator. Expose them to pursuits available in your area and guide them as they find where their heart is.
norms. Help them be comfortable in their oddity and let them have a different perspective of the world.
in playing with animal figurines. It’s is also suitable for sensory play, and they can practice storytelling too. Real pets work really well for this as well, and it 
day. No, what we mean is, decide a time to talk because your timing matters a lot. If you are talking to them when they are exhausted or occupied with their work, it’s of no use. Instead, do it whenever you both aren’t preoccupied.
to enjoy. They can be healthy or an indulgent option. I love the treats I found from 
because you are a mom, you cannot be anything else. Motherhood is a big part of your identity, but not the entirety of it. There is a life waiting for you outside motherhood. And you are only killing your own dreams and desires by depriving yourself of them.
and interests. You are allowed to have dinner with a friend or two once a week, to rejuvenate and recharge yourself. Not just an emotional vent, but being around people who share the same interests and life goals as you also helps you 
yourself while also taking care of your children, because if you don’t, there will come a time when you will burn out, and that’s neither good for you nor your kids.
You forget where your passions lay as a youth, along with your hobbies, and your interests. It’s time you dust the cobwebs off and start engaging in an old hobby or find a new one to keep you motivated and happy beyond motherhood.
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