Do you ever get the feeling that your little ones have been reading your blog? If the toddler looks at you and says, in a knowing voice:
“You and Daddy need some grown-up time…”
It’s probably time to go out on a date night with your significant other!
With Valentine’s Day and other reminders of date nights, it is easy to get drawn into the pre-children daydream of a romantic candlelit dinner for two, or a cosy weekend escape in a snug hotel. Sadly, for most time-pressed and cost conscious parents, that romantic night out followed by a long lie-in is off the agenda.
But maybe we are thinking about it all the wrong way. After all, weren’t those pre-children dates all about getting to know each other? And isn’t that just what we need to continue doing – getting to know each other, reconnecting, sharing fun times? Sharing new experiences or regular hobbies is a wonderful way to give you something else to talk about apart from the children. Even better, date nights to reconnect with each other don’t need to be expensive. Book a regular babysitter – it could be once or twice a month – and use the time to be together.
So if money and time are holding you back from taking a date night together, take inspiration from our tips for cheap dates with your special someone.
Who knows, it could be the start of something special …
- Visit your local pub. Agree to spend the first hour talking, without mentioning the children. A couple of drinks won’t break the bank, and you can share some grown-up conversation in peace.
- Go over to a friend’s house and cook dinner together. That way, the work is shared and you can catch up with the gossip.
- Take a scenic drive. Particularly nice as the days grow longer, drive to a local beauty spot you haven’t seen in a while, or somewhere that you wouldn’t take the children to normally. Look at the city lights or the local scenery.
- Try stargazing. With so many guides available to help you spot the constellations in the sky at night, enjoy looking up at the Milky Way together.
- Eat a takeaway by candelight or as a picnic. No mess and no washing up to share afterwards!
- Attend a free event locally, such as a presentation, talk or concert. It will get you thinking and talking.
- Take advantage of offers to try out free sports or classes at your local gym. Reconnecting with your own health and fitness can be a powerful way to keep in tune with each other.
- Book a dance class. Strictly come date night …
- Walk hand in hand through your local neighbourhood, or a place that holds special memories for you.