Being a couple is a wonderful experience. You go out, watch television or basically do whatever you want, and it’s usually together. However, once children come into the mix then everything seems to change. Now you may be lucky if you even speak to each other alone before you fall asleep at night.
It may be difficult to find the time to be alone together, but it is important for the relationship and for the family that you make the time. Call up a friend to sit with your children (or that will let your children come stay with them) and offer to switch up the services on a regular basis. You can also seek the services of grandparents where it is available. By avoiding a sitter you will be able to take time together without having to break the bank. Here are five suggestions for things to do together – without the kids.
1. Take a day trip together. Check with your church or local clubs to see if they have any tours or events scheduled that the two of you might enjoy together. Be sure that you will have plenty of time to talk and enjoy each other’s company. Try to stay away from talk about kids, finances or home repairs.
2. Have a romantic dinner. Go to one of those places that will turn down the lights and that has candles on the table (and doesn’t even HAVE a kids’ menu). Take your time and enjoy each other’s company. Take the time to share a little dessert at the end of the meal.
3. Have a couple’s night out. You’ve heard of mom’s night or girl’s night or boy’s night. This is the same thing only with several couples instead. You can go to one couple’s house and play cards or just hang out, or you can go to a local restaurant and let someone wait on you for a change.
4. Go to a dance or take a dance lesson together. Ballroom (or couple) dancing is becoming more popular every year. Many dance studios host free (or inexpensive) dance parties during the week to try and encourage people to take their classes. You may also be able to find great dances listed in the “things to do” section of your local paper. If you prefer to take classes then you might want to look at your local community college or community center for inexpensive classes.
5. Get a room. It can be nice to rent a room (even if it is in the same town) at a Bed & Breakfast or nice hotel – with lots of in-room amenities. Just get away from the normal routine to a place where the two of you can truly be alone.
Making time for each other without the kids doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. It only takes a little creativity to bring back the feelings and emotions you both had when you first started dating.
