RELATIONSHIP COLUMN

SEVEN WAYS TO NURTURE YOU RELATIONSHIP
1. Spend time alone together. Find time every day to share your thoughts about the little things as well more important things. Every week or so make a date to do something you both enjoy.
2. Make plans together for your family. Organise an outing or holiday or a family celebration.
3. Share your hopes and dreams.
4. Ask for what you want. You can't read each other's minds so be clear about what help you need from each other.
5. Talk about your feelings. There may be times when one of you feels left out of family life, perhaps you're at work and miss the big changes as your child walks and talks, or you can't get to the school play or sports day. Don't assume your partner knows how you feel.
6. Talk about money. Make a realistic budget together.
7. Laugh together

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70 ROMANTIC WAYS TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR PARTNER

On rainy days
1. Clear out the garage, attic, cupboards or wardrobes* - it really doesn't matter as long as you do it together.
2. Go charity shopping. While away the hours browsing for books, CDs, games, retro clothing, bric-a-brac. You could try a carboot sale or trawl round some antique shops.
3. Get some exercise. Go swimming or ice skating, or enjoy a walk in the rain.
4. Enjoy a movie marathon.* Visit the video shop, stack up on snacks and spend the day being film critics. And if you're stuck for inspiration, take a look at bbc.co.uk/films to find out which new releases should be top of your list!
5. Visit an art gallery. Find an exhibition in your area.
6. Step back in time and visit a museum. Many of the buildings themselves deserve a look and you never know you might learn something at the same time!
7. Improve your memory. Try our online memory test then spend the day testing each other's powers of recall.
8. Discover yourself. Bookshops and the internet offer a wealth of personal-profiling tools, which can help you find out your personality type, your IQ or your relationship style.
9. Make something,* such as a coffee table, some shelves, a bird table, pottery dishes, vases, face sculpture, candles or soap. Craft shops are full of ideas.
10. Go to the football or rugby.* Even if you're not into the sport, you'll find the atmosphere electric. Especially if your team is playing their arch rivals! Take a look at the fixture list before you go.
11. Have an evening of pick'n'mix. Take a look at the TV listings and create a night of entertainment. ---------to be continued