"Parents need to put the romance back into their lives"
A national parenting charity is encouraging mums and dads to dim the lights this Valentine's Day and put the sparkle back into their relationship.
Parentline Plus has found that 85% of parents, whether married, co-habiting or single, had sex less frequently since having children and 71% of all respondents stated that their sex life was not as good after children.
Out of the 100 parents who took part in the survey, almost half (44%) admitted to having sex less than once a week, with almost the same number (43%) blaming tiredness or a lack of privacy as main reason for not having sex more often.
Four out of 10 respondents (41%) said they had been interrupted having sex by their children at least once. More than one in 10 respondents (14%) said they explained their behaviour to their children "by pretending they were playing a game", while another 13% simply hid under the duvet.
Just under a quarter (23%) of parents suggested that a possible improvement would be more time away from the children.
Suzie Hayman, Parentline Plus trustee, said: "Parents need to put the romance back into their lives.
"Kids of every age can be exhausting and parents often feel it's selfish to think of themselves.
"But we know that the best gift you can give your kids is for you to be happy and together, and the best way to ensure that is to continue to be lovers as well as parents.
"This Valentine's Day, arrange care for your children so you can have a night out or send the kids to their friends or grandparents and have a night in together.
"If you can afford it, have a whole weekend away. Think back to what you used to do in the early days of your relationship, and treat each other to some sexy Valentine's romance again!"
A series of top tips to help parents rekindle the romance has been launched by Parentline Plus and can be read at www.parentlineplus.org.uk/valentines.
Parentline Plus is a national charity providing help and support to anyone caring for children, including parents, grandparents, step-parents, relatives and to families living together as well as apart. For more information visit www.parentlineplus.org.uk.
By Emma Foster, Community Newswire
