A few weeks back it was date night again at our house! But not your typical dad and mom date night. This time it was a Mom and daughter date night! I got the joy of taking my big girl, Myah to the movie and then out to eat for dinner.
(Myah enjoying her cookie on our last date!)
This last year my husband and I sat down together and realized although we have had every intention and desire to spend good quality one on one time with our kids, it just hasn’t happened as often as we would like. So we decided to try something new and much more intentional this year. Each month one of us (the parents) takes one of them (the kids) out for some special one on one time. We have a little schedule and we rotate through making sure everyone has equal date nights! We have 3 kids so it works out that in a year each of them will go on 2 dates with both my husband and I. This system has worked for us! And now that they have all experienced their own date nights, they are constantly asking when they get another!
Every time I come home from one of these special times I am reminded how different my kids are when they are competing for attention with their siblings. They get the opportunity to ask us questions, and be the center of our attention for at least a short time. They really blossom during these times. If you are stuck on what to do think about these options!
- Dollar Theater Movies- This is what I did with Myah. It was cheap and she was thrilled!
- Go to the park and play!- My one year old still can’t do a lot of big kid activities, so we just went to the park and he LOVED it!
- Go camping for a night!- Find a local campground or just set up the tent in the backyard.
- Go swimming.- My husband did this with our middle child this summer. Most kids are dying to go swimming in the summer!
- Go to the Library together- This one is completely free! My middle daughter has actually been asking to go to the library on our next date.
- Go to a Bounce Facility- We have a bounce facility right by our house, and it is in the back of my mind for future dates.
- Have a Beauty Date- This is a great one for little girls! Get a haircut, get your nails done, you could even put on make up together before you go out!
- Go to a Sporting Event- It doesn’t have to be the NFL here! Go to a high school or college game and keep it simple!
- Have a creative date! Crafting stores and group lessons seem to be all the rage now! Check out your local pottery, painting or crafting stores for special kid friendly sessions!
- Special Splurge- Last year I took our oldest to The Nutcracker Ballet. It was a little bit of a splurge for us, but she was amazed watching the dancer, I consider it money well spent!
(My little guy enjoying a drink after our date at the park.)
Whatever you do, the most important thing is just to be intentional and make a plan, or your most likely will get busy with the rest of life and before you now it months will have passed!
So what do you think? What do you all do for special one on one time with your kiddos? I would love to hear your ideas and add them to our list of possibilities!!!
