It was a lot easier when the kids were younger and had reasonable bed times. Now we have a teenager who likes to stay up late.

So we send the youngest to bed and tell the girl-child to turn her radio up, then try to be a little quiet (not the easiest thing for my kitten to do).

Getting the kids out of the house overnight works, sleepovers and grandparents.

If you have a local dungeon and don't mind public play, that's an option: "Be good, kids, mommy and daddy are going to their club."

The little things can add up, too.

Whispering "mine" in her ear gets a good reaction from my kitten.

I touch her a lot, rubbing her head and playing with her hair, so every now and then I'll get a good grip and slowly pull her hair tight -- no one can see it, but it's a reminder to both of us.

She started sitting on the floor in the living room because the couch was hurting her back, but I've found that I really like that. She sits next to my legs or between them with her laptop on the coffee table. 'course the fact that this positions her nicely for me to rub her back and shoulders might be an ulterior motive.