Just remember, the date doesn't need to be expensive or extravagant. Check out some of the links on side of this page for ideas. They are FANTASTIC! What's wrong with a cheap picnic together in the park or a bike ride around the neighborhood? Sometimes the cheapest ones are the best! One time my husband and I did a dinner for less than ten dollars and then went for a quick drive up the canyon and parked and talked. Super simple, but one of the best nights! No kids, no work, no distractions - just the two of us talking about goofy stuff that helps strengthen that bond.
If you don't date your spouse, does it mean that your marriage will fail? Definitely not, but in this day and age, your marriage needs the best fighting chance you can get! You need to continue to enrich your marriage by taking TIME for one another.
Don't forget - babysitters aren't always needed; dates don't even have to be outside the home. Trust me, I have young children and I know that making plans and going out isn't always possible. Have you ever thought about planning something romantic after the kids go to bed like a candlelit desert or dancing on the back porch? One year, my husband and I had just had a baby and didn't have the money to go stay in a fancy bed and breakfast on our anniversary, so we turned our bedroom into something fun. I changed up the decor and gave it a whole new feel (check out this link I used from the Love Actually Blog: http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/your-title-here-bed-breakfast.html).
I just want to emphasize how IMPORTANT I think dates are - whether you are doing them once a week or once a month - you need to make it a priority! Your marriage needs to be a priority!
Remember to make the planning of the dates fun too! Trade off with your spouse - he finds the babysitter and you plan the date or vice versa. I KNOW it's hard to leave your kids home with someone, but make sure to find someone you trust and that you're comfortable with (Grandparents are great for this!) Or even invite some of your friends along - make it a group date. More of the great dates I have had have been with some great couples we know!! So fun!
Also, if you are struggling to find babysitters or have to money to pay for a sitter, why not start a babysitter co-op in your neighborhood? There are many families who feel the same way and you could trade off have a few extra kids at your house on a Friday or Saturday night in turn for your kids to be taken care of on your date nights - another great way to save money.
What are some fun things you have done for dates and what are some ways you keep them inexpensive?
No comments:
Post a Comment