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Sandton Clinic, 1999. It’s my six-week, post-partum check-up and I’m glaring at my gynae for asking: ‘Have you... ahem... had intercourse since the birth?
In the stunned silence that ensues, I struggle to make my tired brain come up with an appropriate response. What I want to say is:
‘Have you seen these Rock of Gibraltar engorged breasts? I flinch when my arm brushes past them and as for that scar you made in my ...’
But instead, I look down at the babe in arms (to hide hormonal tears) and mumble ‘No.’
- Also see: Sex and the new parent
Confronted by another out-of-my-depth mothering crisis, I confide in my been-there-done-that colleague. What are sleep-deprived parents supposed to do about sex droughts? And clearly there was a drought on. In fact, it was a full-blown (giggle) recession.
She cried with laughter, then seeing I was dangerously moody, consoled me with this advice: Make a list. Apparently all busy parents need a daily To Do List and sex must be on top (always) even before exercise. I liked the advice, but so far morning mayhem has beat morning glory for the past decade. No, this does not mean we’re still not having sex. (Thank the sex gods for weekends, Disney Channel and grandparents.)
We also rendezvous in our dreams and awake intertwined like vines, PJs still sadly on. We don’t have to say, ‘Baby, I dreamt about you’ because there’s a look of liquid lust in our eyes. The look lasts about a nanosecond before we jump up shrieking ‘It’s 7am’ and race each other to the shower. Not together. Not for fun. Another busy day has just begun.
- Also see: 5 sexy date nights for parents
Sexpert tips for parents:
Tip 1: Make yourself feel sexy
Sexologists say: Wear raunchy lingerie, seductive perfume and daydream about your lover.
Parents say: Racy and lacy won’t stabilise our wobbly bits and we can’t afford perfume so we daydream about money.
Tip 2: Bust boredom
Sexologists say: Explore fantasies, dress up in role-play costumes and introduce toys.
Parents say: The only fancy dress in this house is lying in a shower of glitter in the playroom. Toys could be fun, the spiny stegosaurus to be precise.
Tip 3: Work sex into your weekly routine
Sexologists say: Have a ‘date night’ where you wine, dine and stare longingly into each other’s eyes. Make sure there are no kids around.
Parents say: Did you say no kids? Do not pass begin, do not collect R200, let’s Monopolise this moment.
Tip 4: Make time for foreplay
Sexologists say: Foreplay is essential. Light scented candles and warm up some massage oil.
Parents say: We are the masters of quickies. When there’s a spare minute we just go. Go, go, go. . . Yes! No! Stop, stop, stop. There’s a little voice at the door.
Tip 5: Don’t score goals
Sexologists say: Long-term lovers have goal-orientated sex because they know each other, but intimacy is not about orgasms.
Parents say: Ja whatever, orgasms are nice and see my point about limited time above.
How do you keep the magic alive in your relationship? Email chatback@parent24.com and let us know your thoughts and tips. Do let us know if you'd like to stay anonymous.
Read more:
- 6 tips to ensure a happy marriage
- How baby changes your relationship
- Parents, this is how to keep the sex fires burning
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