You can't escape the fact having kids will alter a relationship. No matter how passionate your relationship is and how intimate you are, once your children are born your relationship will change. The prime change will come about as you begin to put the needs of your children and the family unit as a intact as a priority, followed by the needs of the couple. Several times, husbands and wives begin to feel neglected as the day-to-day struggles of life take their toll.

Not only do the day's tasks take their toll on the relationship, but also several couples begin to feel very tired. Both parties may be working and then have to deal with the family responsibilities when they come home, or maybe mom stays home all day and eagerly waits for dad to arrive so he can help with the kids. This may be unfair to dad who has worked hard all day and wants to come home to take a break. Either way, single thing is certain- the sentimental life suffers.

However, there is hope. Just because you have children, doesn't mean that you have to throw away all sentimental notions by the wayside. In fact, marriages are strengthened and become more stable when couples commit to spending time together and engaging in sentimental activities.

The initial area to consider is spending time together alone. When children come into the picture (especially babies) finding time alone can be challenging. Newish moms specially are tired out and may even look forward to when dad comes home so they can get some rest. It is a good idea to set aside some time where the two of you can just be alone. If that means taking a nap during the day when the baby is sleeping, then do so. Once the baby or older children go to bed, take advantage of the time that you and your partner have alone. It may be a while before you find a babysitter and feel snug leaving your small single at home, but that doesn't mean that you and your partner can no longer be romantic.

Here are some activities that you can do with your partner once your children are asleep:

Have a picnic by the fireplace

This is great for cold winter nights. Bright a fire, lay down a blanket (or a bear skin rug) and have a picnic by the fireplace. Some magnificant items to include are: wine, cheese, fruit, or chocolate covered strawberries. Everyone agrees that there is nothing more sentimental then firelight.

Sit outside on the patio and watch the stars.

A wonderfully sentimental getaway (while not straying distant from home) is to simply stargaze with your lover. By the end of the evening, you will be staring at the stars in each other's eyes.

Take a bubble bath together

Nothing beats a big garden tub made for two, if you have a hot tub or Jacuzzi all the better. After the children go to bed, enjoy a quiet evening in the hot tub or Jacuzzi. If you don't have single or the other, a bubble bath in a big tub is just as enjoyable.

Play a sentimental game together

Playing a sentimental game together is a great activity that will help put you in the mood. There are myriad games obtainable for purchase online or at your local novelty supply store.

Read a book to your partner

Just lying in bed together, snuggling and cuddling while reading a book to your partner can be very romantic. It beats watching the television or a movie and allows for plenty of discourse. Besides, when you read a book together, you will always have that time as a cherished memory.