<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"    Beth, 37, and Rob, 36, have been married for seven years and have three children. When it comes to Valentine&amp;#039;s Day, Beth and Rob are totally on the same page: It&amp;#039;s a holiday that&amp;#039;s blown out of proportion by card companies, florists, and restaurants to make a little extra money by playing into our romantic sides [Ed. note: The views expressed here are unique to this couple.]. Where they disagree is whether or not they should pass this nonconformist attitude down to their children or let them play into the hype passed around school and on TV. Who&amp;#039;s right? She says: &amp;quot;I realize our feelings towards Valentine&amp;#039;s Day are completely out of line with the rest of the country, but Rob and I express our love in plenty of ways\u2014we don&amp;#039;t need a special day on the calendar to remind us to do so. Now that Valentine&amp;#039;s Day has become such a big deal, though, our children are starting to come home from school asking what our plans are, why &amp;#039;Daddy doesn&amp;#039;t buy you roses,&amp;#039; and more. Should we put on a charade on February 14 for the kids (read: go out to dinner, buy each other cards and chocolates, the whole nine yards), or tell them that we don&amp;#039;t believe in that stuff? Is it like telling them there&amp;#039;s no Santa Claus at this point? I feel like pop culture has almost made it that way.&amp;quot; He says: &amp;quot;I believe in total transparency when it comes to explaining our personal choices and actions to our children. We should sit them down and let them know why their friends at school may be passing out cards and candy or telling stories about the romantic gestures their parents are making for one another, and the reason their mother and I have chosen not to participate in these &amp;#039;celebrations&amp;#039; on February 14. Then, the kids can decide how they want to observe Valentine&amp;#039;s Day based on the information that has been presented. I don&amp;#039;t think we should go out to dinner and buy each other flowers or chocolates simply to preserve our children&amp;#039;s innocence. I can&amp;#039;t even believe we&amp;#039;re having an &amp;#039;argument&amp;#039; about &amp;#039;innocence&amp;#039; and Valentine&amp;#039;s Day! It&amp;#039;s a manufactured holiday; end of story.&amp;quot;   poll by twiigs.com   Have an argument you want settled? Email your argument detailing your side of the argument and your man&amp;#039;s side to karenkarbo@redbookmag.com or post below in the comments section and please include your names and ages. Letters may be edited for clarity and length. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/love-sex/relationships/a13504/settle-argument-valentines-day/>