The 28 Days of Romance and Sex Challenge For Moms and Dads

POPSUGAR Photography

For some, romance and sex may be just "metaphorical concepts" when you've got little children running amok in your house, but intimacy shouldn't be nonexistent. In fact, if you let your sex life die with your partner, your relationship will suffer down the line. And really, is it even possible to make a whole relationship sweet (romance) and spicy (sex) in just one day, aka Valentine's Day? Not really. That's a huge task for one "24-hour" period of time. It's best to take things slow (it's more fun that way!) and do little things every day to bring back that just-started-dating excitement.

Between wiping your kids' mouths and butts and making never-ending to-do lists, step away from parent duty for a minute and take our 28-day romance and sex challenge. It's full of simple yet fun things you can do in the month of February to spice up life with your significant other. While some things may push you way out of your comfort zone, don't rule them out and try to give everything a chance. Get ready to play!

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Day 1: The Sexy Note
Unsplash | Ana Tavares

Day 1: The Sexy Note

You text and Facebook message, don't you? Well, take a few minutes to start February off right with a sexy message to your main squeeze. Something like "I can't wait to see you naked tonight" is great. If you just giggled out loud saying that, go tamer with "I want to show you my panties later." And if you're really racy, get descriptive! You can't go wrong.

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Day 2: Shower Time
Getty | Fuse

Day 2: Shower Time

You don't always have time to have sex, but you should have time for a shower. OK, let's be real — getting a shower in during those infancy days or if you have more than one kid is a challenge, but set aside even just five minutes early in the morning or late at night to hop in, and ask your partner to join you! It doesn't have to lead to sex — it could just be five or 10 minutes of sensual time together.

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Day 3: Go Commando
POPSUGAR Photography | Mark Popovich

Day 3: Go Commando

I'm not suggesting you pull this off at a playdate, but find an opportune time and leave your underwear in the laundry hamper. Whether you've got time to show your partner or not, casually mention you forgot to wear one item today.

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Day 4: The Snapshot
Getty | Hinterhaus Productions

Day 4: The Snapshot

There's nothing more memorable than a picture. Tuck a shot of the two of you (pre-kids) into your significant other's bag, wallet, or wherever! Are you strictly digital? Send a tender image via text. Just make sure it's from the early days of your courting.

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Day 5: Massage
Unsplash | Christin Hume

Day 5: Massage

Offer a massage. Maybe it's while you're catching up on your DVR, or perhaps it's just a five-minute shoulder rub while your partner is eating breakfast. Touch is usually reciprocated with . . . touch.

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Day 6: Sweets For Your Sweet
Getty | Carol Yepes

Day 6: Sweets For Your Sweet

Sneak your love's favorite sweet somewhere with a little love note. Not exactly a wordsmith? Find a Shakespeare love quote via your best friend, Google, and add it with those Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Tasty and tender at the same time!

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Day 7: Return to the Beginning
POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone

Day 7: Return to the Beginning

Make it a point to spend even just a few minutes back where you met or where you had your first date. Just talking about that first time will let the memories flood back.

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Day 8: May I Have This Dance?
Unsplash | Sharon McCutcheon

Day 8: May I Have This Dance?

Give your partner a glass of wine or a beer first, and then take a spin on the living room "dance floor" to some music. You may feel like a klutz or a bit foolish, but add another tune on Spotify and keep the flow going.

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Day 9: Role-Play
POPSUGAR Photography | Blake Smith

Day 9: Role-Play

Whatever your partner's fantasy, enact it. If you're ambitious and open-minded, send your partner a text saying the teacher (aka you) needs a meeting after the kids are in bed for a serious lecture. Then, get in costume. If you want to ease into role play, just stick to a little bit of dirty talk during sex.

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Day 10: Take a Stroll
POPSUGAR Photography | Kat Borchart

Day 10: Take a Stroll

I understand that for some of us on the East Coast and in the Midwest, it's a tad bit nippy out, but grab a time that's not below zero and head out for a walk with your love. It's a free date and a dose of good exercise and fresh air. Just be sure to get a babysitter or even just a neighbor to watch the kids for 30 minutes.

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Day 11: On Camera
POPSUGAR Photography | Lexi Lambros

Day 11: On Camera

This isn't for everyone, but if you feel bold, tape yourselves during the act of lovemaking or even just kissing. Then, watch it together a few days later.

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Day 12: The Quickie
POPSUGAR Photography | Bonnie Burke

Day 12: The Quickie

Pick 20 minutes out of your day, whether it's during nap time, at midnight, or 5 in the morning, and have a quickie anywhere — kitchen, basement, bathroom — just do it.

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Day 13: The List
POPSUGAR Photography | Paul Kabata

Day 13: The List

It's very common for couples to talk when there's a problem or issue at hand, but how often do you just stop to tell your partner, "Hey, you're awesome?" You probably say "I love you" a billion times, but after a while, how much weight does that carry? Write an old-fashioned note listing 15 things you love about your partner.

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Day 14: The Public Act
Getty | fotostorm

Day 14: The Public Act

Pick a public place to get naughty. If you can get a babysitter, make out at a bar. If you can't get a babysitter, fool around in the car late at night. Will you feel silly at first? Sure, but go with it! Changing "location" is good for your sex life, and a public act just ups the excitement.

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Day 15: Be the Model
Unsplash | Alexandra Gorn

Day 15: Be the Model

Let your partner pick your outfit out for the day. Even if it's a little out there, roll with it — unless, of course, you have a teacher-parent conference or other activity that requires a certain look.

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Day 16: Let the Games Begin
Unsplash | rawpixel

Day 16: Let the Games Begin

Free date-night alert: naked Twister! Before you roll your eyes, trust that this will be not only fun, but also funny. Perhaps the winner gets to pick a "sexual" favor as a prize. Be sure to play while the kids are sleeping.

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Day 17: No Sex, Just Kissing
Unsplash | Matheus Lira

Day 17: No Sex, Just Kissing

Remember when you had to keep things PG with your crush in your parents' basement? Well, this is a similar game. Stick to just the three bases — do I need to explain those? — but no intercourse. Then the next day, try this again. The third night? Go wild. It's the thrill of the chase and buildup, isn't it?

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Day 18: Wedding Song
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Day 18: Wedding Song

Send an audio or video clip of your wedding song, or if you're a hopeless romantic, write out the words to your sweetie and hit send. This is one text that's safe enough to be read at work.

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Day 19: Food = Love
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Day 19: Food = Love

Make your loved one's favorite meal for dinner and eat it together, sitting down, with no TV on and the kids in bed.

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Day 20: Chocolate
Unsplash | Jennifer Pallian

Day 20: Chocolate

Bring chocolate to the dinner table after the kids are asleep. Whip out an assortment — white, dark, milk, truffles, bars, etc. — and as your partner feeds you a bite at a time, remove one article of clothing.

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Day 21: Handcuffs
POPSUGAR Photography | Mark Popovich

Day 21: Handcuffs

Take things up a notch by handcuffing your partner and teasing away.

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Day 22: The Wedding
Unsplash | Gift Habeshaw

Day 22: The Wedding

Revisit the walk down the aisle. Watch the video. Look at the photos. Remember the love.

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Day 23: Sexy Night In
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Day 23: Sexy Night In

Remember when you could lie around in a t-shirt and panties while having sex or eating comfort food all day with your partner? Do it! Drop the kids off at the grandparents, and spend the day in your skivvies. The rules: No social media or checking email. Just movies, sex, and food.

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Day 24: The Talk
StockSnap | Jeremy Wong

Day 24: The Talk

For 20 minutes today, sit down and talk to your partner while holding hands. The chat topics: no work or kids. Stick to these three: sex, life dreams, or why you have chosen to be with each other.

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Day 25: Lunch Is on Me
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Day 25: Lunch Is on Me

Make your partner a lunch to take to work, but be sure it's a childhood favorite — think homemade pizza, PB&J, or macaroni and cheese. Tuck in a note that tells your partner how much love you have to give them.

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Day 26: Just For You
POPSUGAR Photography | THEM TOO

Day 26: Just For You

If you don't know, ask your partner what their favorite "porn" themes are (yes, your partner probably watches porn). Then, find a good one and send a link. Sound like too much? Send your partner some sexy photos instead.

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Day 27: Flirt and Tell
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Lloyd

Day 27: Flirt and Tell

Whether you're a stay-at-home parent or working, flirt with someone — appropriately. Flirt innocently and then tell your partner about how good it made you feel — it usually does — and about how good it made you feel to have them to come home to.

If they're insanely jealous, you may want to reconsider that and, instead, tell them to flirt and report back. Remember, you've chosen each other. Be confident! A little flirting won't hurt.

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Day 28: Instruct and Deliver
Unsplash | Steve Johnson

Day 28: Instruct and Deliver

When the lights are out — or on, if you prefer — give your partner a tutorial in oral activities. Also, be sure to take a little instruction yourself. You want to give and receive.

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Bonus Day 29: Stranger Night
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Lloyd

Bonus Day 29: Stranger Night

Can you snag a sitter? Both of you go out . . . without each other. Dress up. Make them clean up well. Go have fun. Don't say where you're going. A little mystery is exciting. Remember when you wondered where your S.O. was when you first dated? What they were doing? When you get back later, don't talk — just go to the bedroom. The kids should be asleep already, god willing. If not, kiss them good night. Then just proceed to have sex for at least an hour. Don't worry about being tired. You're a parent. You're tired for life!

Mission Complete
Getty | shapecharge

Mission Complete

Now that the challenge is done, how do you two feel? Talk about it! Happy Valentine's Day, and may love be with you all year long!

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