Jessica Alba: 'Schedules are key to romance'

Jessica Alba has advised new parents to schedule regular date nights to keep their romance alive after having children.

The Sin City star admits her relationship with Cash Warren has changed dramatically since they wed in May 2008 and became parents to two daughters, Honor and Haven.

She now has to schedule her one-on-one time with Warren, and although their dates are often "predictable" and not very "spicy", Alba believes organization keeps their romance alive.

In a post on her iVillage blog, she writes, "Having time to see a movie or enjoy a glass of wine by yourself - let alone with your husband - before your kids head off to college? I know - it feels like an impossibility or a far-off dream. But I can assure you it's not...

"Cash and I have found that maintaining a family schedule is the key to making time for each other. Whether we're settling into the couch to watch bad reality television or getting a babysitter so we can enjoy a date night out, we always know we have dedicated time after the girls are asleep to catch up, discuss what's on our minds, and simply just be with each other...

"Making time for our relationship in our daily routine - even though it's surprisingly predictable and may not seem as spicy as our spontaneous pre-kiddo days - really helps keep the romance alive. I don't think romance is always about swinging from chandeliers (although it's nice from time to time). It's really about the small gestures."

The actress also heaped praise on her thoughtful husband for pitching in with their young daughters, gushing, "He... takes over middle-of-the-night feedings, tends to fevers, and takes the girls to the park without me having to ask because he knows I need a break. All these things add to our romance."