Celebrate Valentines Day The Adam's Cloud Way

Over the last 25 years, Jackie and I have Celebrated Valentine’s day through many different stages of life. Trust me. We have seen it all, from lovestruck puppies and newlyweds to busy mum and dad with babies, toddlers, kids, teenagers and adults. They haven’t all been the perfect Instagram moments either, as we have had amazing ones, happy ones, sad ones, tough ones and stressful ones, yet here we still are, happy together. We have had our fair share of Valentine's day bumps and bruises along the way, trying to juggle romance with kids and life. We have learned a lot about the paradox of celebrating Valentine’s day with kids. So, How can you create a successful and memorable family filled valentine’s day that will inspire your children? As I see it, you have two options!

1. Chase the Romantic Valentines Rainbow with best-laid plans and all that jazz.

Or, skip straight to option number two. 

2. Celebrate Valentine’s day the Adam’s Cloud Way!

Option 1: Chase The Valentine’s Rainbow.

 "Best laid plans often go awry."

Behind door No 1. You book a very much needed meal or night away with notions of romantic gestures and being made feel special. Great, you book a babysitter, leg it out the door and try to figure out exactly where the smell of baby poop is coming from as you ponder the menu. The pressure is on. Expectations of romance are high, so you try to focus on the job at hand and banish troubling thoughts from your mind. Whose getting up in the morning? Did I turn the cooker off? Did I leave the Calpol out for the Babysitter? Is Her phone Charged? Oh, God! Do I still smell of Poop! You know what I’m talking about, right? Having the perfect Valentines night when you have kids can be a bit of a lottery. Just when you think all is going swimmingly, you either get the dreaded call from the babysitter or you arrive home, as I did once, to find the curtains pulled off the wall after a fun game of Tarzan). Chances are you will have a wonderful evening, but you won't be disappointed with option two.

Option 2:  Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Adam’s Cloud Way!

“Forget about chasing those romantic rainbows and make it a family fun day where you teach and show your children what it means to love and be loved.”

Babies and children learn from what they see, hear, feel and experience. By witnessing your interactions as their parents, they will learn how to love and be loved. You are the only ones who can teach them respect, kindness, friendship, patience and all the other attributes associated with love. So, our solution for a successful family-inclusive Valentines day is to plan something nice for each other and involve the kids from beginning to end. Let me explain by way of an example of a dad (That’s me) cooking a special meal for Mum (That’s Jackie) Step 1: Early on the day, tell the kids how much mum means to you, and you want to show her how much you love and appreciate her for all she does for everyone in the house. So, you have decided to cook a special family dinner that mum would love and need help with. Step 2: brainstorm with the kids, get Ideas for a meal and how to make it yummy and memorable. Kids are excellent at this and will add their beautiful magic to develop beautiful ideas. Step 3: Take the kids to the shop to buy the magic ingredients. Remind the kids that you want to show mum how special she is and ask them to pick only the very best Ingredients because mum deserves only the very best. Oh, the love that will go into that decision will stay forever. Step 4: Pop them up on a kitchen stool and give them a simple job to help prep the meal. Begin a memorable conversation by telling them the story of how you met, when you first kissed, how you proposed and how your love for each other was so strong they picked you to be their mum and dad on the night they were born. During this magical conversation, refer to Salt and pepper as Love hugs and kisses as you season the meal and tell them that just like food needs salt and pepper, a family needs love hugs and kisses. Jackie and I always add a little extra love, hugs and kisses to every meal we cook. Step 5: Ask the kids to help set and decorate the table with drawings, flowers, and candles and make it look extra special to show how much they love their family. Step 6:  Enjoy what could become your most treasured and memorable Valentine’s day dinner, and how knows, there just might be a bit of romance in the air now that everyone has had a lovely day and is feeling happy, relaxed and loved. As a bonus, you know that your children will carry in their hearts the memory of when mum or dad taught them one of life’s most valuable lessons -  what it is to love and be loved. This recipe for love can be applied to any Valentine's day romantic gesture. With the same philosophy and formula in mind, you can organise any family valentines event.  

Adams Cloud Style Valentines Day Family Walk

Involve the kids in selecting a beautiful or favourite location to go for a walk. When you go on your walk, get the kids to run ahead of you a little and hide some flowers or a little present in a bush or behind a tree. When you catch up with them, get the kids to give the flowers / present to (mum or dad) and tell them they are from all of you because we love you so much and are so good to us. Before the walk, don’t forget to involve the kids in lovingly packing a valentines picnic, making sure you have the most important thing - the flask of hot chocolate. Remember, when you make it, each scoop of powder is love hugs and kisses, so don’t forget to add in an extra few valentine’s day scoops.  

Read A Valentines day Book?

  Don’t just read any old love book; Read the Ultimate expression of Love Book. Before you Sleep is not just a book for parents to read to children. It is a book that anyone can read, to anyone else, where you want to express your love to them and be inspired to do beautiful things together. For the Best Valentines day books full of  Love, Hugs and Kisses, visit Adams Store and grab a set of these beautiful Books.     Happy Valentine’s Day, Everyone.