Relationships: Physical Affection in Front of the Kids

As parents, one of the most important things you can do is ask yourself on a daily basis, "What are my actions teaching my kids?" In this case, the fact that your kids have begun to see your displays of affection as "gross" is probably all the more reason to keep it up.

Parents often worry so much about molding their children's daily behaviors that they forget that each day, from the day their children are born, they are teaching them how to be parents and how to be husbands and wives. Relationship education is something that is seldom formally spoken about in families, yet it is among the most important things that our children learn from us.

If you want your children to learn how to be in healthy, respectful and loving relationships, then you both need to work on ensuring that your relationship models that for them. The way you speak to each other, touch each other and work together as a team will mold your kids into the kind of adults you hope for them to be.

So, as with so many other things, you need to do what you believe is best for your marriage and your kids, even if they are grossed out by it. Save your making out and beyond for the bedroom, but feel free to display what you believe are healthy, appropriate expressions of physical affection so that your children can learn what to expect for themselves in the future. In the long run, they'll be glad you did.