engagement shoot with kids: Please Help

I booked an engagement shoot for a couple who have kids from a previous marriage. they want the children to be incorporated into the photos - i am having a hard time thinking of ways to keep the session intimate and romantic but still include the kids in some shots in a way that makes sense.

Do a couple where the kids are in the front of them and have them in the back on the side and only have the kids in foucs and then do an opposite shot as well. Some of the Kids with mom and some with kds and dad and maybe mom & dad kissing with the kids around them. Try and just think out of the box.

unless the kids are really young and they have to keep them occupied while you are shooting just them, i don't see the problem.

just mix it up, get some intimate and couple shots, some group shots and some just kids shots, the more variety the more prints you can sell afterward.

I want to do one of these using a "tug of war" theme...but instead of having dad's side vs mom's side, have mom and dad in the middle and have the kids wrapping the rope around them symbolizing "tying them together".

Inside the rope coils, they can steal a kiss or two while the kids look on approvingly.