Before this month of love goes by, I’m sharing five vignettes on love. Hope you find some version yourself in at least one of them.
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Continue reading “Exploring the colour palette of love, one relationship at a time”Notes from an almost-empty-nester
Before this month of love goes by, I’m sharing five vignettes on love. Hope you find some version yourself in at least one of them.
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Continue reading “Exploring the colour palette of love, one relationship at a time”Valentine’s Day is two days away and I have nothing at all planned for the children. It shouldn’t matter, except that they really look forward to something special. That’s of course my fault entirely for having spoilt them so. However, I do believe we should celebrate every occasion we can, as long as it doesn’t become a compulsion or a pressure. This year with exams coming on early and the pressure of tests and projects, we’re in dire need of cheering up but I’ve hardly had time to think of anything.
That is why I was looking for something quick and easy (and also free) that they would love. I’m taking a cue from something H did once. There’s a little bit of a story here, hear me out and then I’ll share my idea. So the thing is while H is the huggiest child when it comes to immediate family, he’s extremely shy when it comes to friends and extended family. It’s a joke of sorts, with everyone trying to hug him while he runs around trying to avoid them. Once when he was clueless about ideas for his aunt’s birthday, he made ‘Huggie Coupons’ for her which she could ‘encash’ at will in exchange for a hug from him. They were essentially bits of paper with ‘One hug’ written on them since H isn’t the crafty kind but his aunt loved the intent.
That’s what I’ll be doing this year for the children. I’m making coupons which they can encash for special privileges. I like that it gives them a sense of choice, which is something teens are always fighting for. That said, I really thought through my ‘offers’. The option of not being able to fulfil any of them doesn’t exist. Both H and N are absolute Shylocks when it comes to extracting their pound of flesh and I shall forever be labeled ‘unfair’ and a ‘promise breaker’ if I dishonour a coupon.
1. Weekend Movie Night Pick
2. Chore Free Day
3. Order Out Day
Cannot be used the same week as Pizza Night
4. A meal of your choice
24-hour notice required
5. Pizza Night
Cannot be used the same week as Order Out Day
6. Mama Hour
An hour of Mama’s undivided attention for an activity of your choice
We could read along, craft together, watch videos, your pick. It has to be on a weekend.
7. Weekend Coffee Date
8. Weekend Breakfast in Bed
9. Get Your Room Cleaned
10. Weekend trip to the mall
I included this one only because we have a small, very functional kind of mall right next to our apartment complex and I know the children love going to the mall but aren’t big on shopping.
I made my coupons on Canva. Click here if you want to try making your own. This is what they look like. I shall staple them together into a booklet, from which they can be torn out and given.
That’s the cover of the Coupon Booklet
This is a sample of the coupon
There are also loads of love-coupons-for-kids printables on the Net. You could try those. Or you could design your own or, if you want to keep it really simple, cut out squares from fancy paper, write down your ‘offers’ and staple them together into a booklet. Easy Peasy.
And you’re done.
Let me know if you try it.
Note: The coupons work for any age-group of kids and even for adults.
Warm cuddly nights
Where did my ‘babies’ go?
Sending out warm wishes to everyone on Valentine’s Day. Hope you have a warm and wonderful time with your loved ones.