One of the things that has probably helped our marriage more than anything is something very simple - Friday Night Date Night! If you've got kids, its important - no, it's necessary - to have some alone time with your husband or wife. Unfortunately, that's not always the easiest thing in the world - with the cost of going out on a date, plus having to pay a babysitter. Here's the solution we've come up with, and its worked for us for many years.
We have five kids, ranging from 15 down to 9 years of age. We also happen to have some friends in a similar situation " they've got five also, though their range is a little younger. That's the key to this whole system - friends in the same boat as you.
How does it work?
Here is the basics: every week on Friday, either us or our friends has a night out. We alternate weeks and I tell you, seldom do we miss it. The couple who is going out takes their children over to the house of the other couple around 5:30, for example Kathlyn (our friend) brings them over to our house. Julie then feeds all the kids (nuggets are a main staple) and then the kids all hang out until around 9. At that time, Julie takes Kat's kids back to their house and snuggles those cuties into bed. She then stays there until Kat & Jeff return home. And what's great is there no time limit. I'd take care of my kids back home. The next week, our turn.
What's the big deal?
In all it's simplicity, the plan is flawless. Doesn't it seem that we overthink things too much sometimes?
* A consistent, responsible babysitter who is never late nor seldom backs out. You gotta remember the babysitter has a date already on the books for next week that depends on yours going off without a hitch.
* Doesn't cost a thing! Remember the 5 kids - a night out can cost a small king's ransom.
* It is a lot to expect a teenage girl to handle 5 children. So when you have families who do this with kids close to the same age, they tend to just do their thing. Little care needed. And we have the credentials to handle them all too!
*The old "I just trained my sitter and now she has a job, boyfriend, life, ____(fill in the blank)". And your out of luck. Doesn't happen here.
* No "why can't I play Wii" or "Bobby hit me" phone calls just as you are gazing longingly into your spouse's beautiful eyes. Boy can that be a downer on a date.
* No driving the babysitter home. Or picking up the kids and lugging them in the house to put them to bed. How that can put a damper on romantic evenings.
* There is never anything to clean up when you get home. They weren't there so viola! no mess.
* Here's a perk for the other mom - once Kat puts the kids to bed, she gets a little alone time - the chance to brew a big cup of tea and read a book or watch her favorite show.
My older kids can babysit my younger kids. So how does that work?
I don't know about you, but even though my older kids babysit others and their siblings, the reasons listed previously (phone calls, messy house, etc) keeps on track with the current course of date night. We foresee this happening until all our kiddos move on down the road.
So if you're looking for a way to have some alone time with your honey, find another couple that's as desperate as you and have them read this article! - 15437
We have five kids, ranging from 15 down to 9 years of age. We also happen to have some friends in a similar situation " they've got five also, though their range is a little younger. That's the key to this whole system - friends in the same boat as you.
How does it work?
Here is the basics: every week on Friday, either us or our friends has a night out. We alternate weeks and I tell you, seldom do we miss it. The couple who is going out takes their children over to the house of the other couple around 5:30, for example Kathlyn (our friend) brings them over to our house. Julie then feeds all the kids (nuggets are a main staple) and then the kids all hang out until around 9. At that time, Julie takes Kat's kids back to their house and snuggles those cuties into bed. She then stays there until Kat & Jeff return home. And what's great is there no time limit. I'd take care of my kids back home. The next week, our turn.
What's the big deal?
In all it's simplicity, the plan is flawless. Doesn't it seem that we overthink things too much sometimes?
* A consistent, responsible babysitter who is never late nor seldom backs out. You gotta remember the babysitter has a date already on the books for next week that depends on yours going off without a hitch.
* Doesn't cost a thing! Remember the 5 kids - a night out can cost a small king's ransom.
* It is a lot to expect a teenage girl to handle 5 children. So when you have families who do this with kids close to the same age, they tend to just do their thing. Little care needed. And we have the credentials to handle them all too!
*The old "I just trained my sitter and now she has a job, boyfriend, life, ____(fill in the blank)". And your out of luck. Doesn't happen here.
* No "why can't I play Wii" or "Bobby hit me" phone calls just as you are gazing longingly into your spouse's beautiful eyes. Boy can that be a downer on a date.
* No driving the babysitter home. Or picking up the kids and lugging them in the house to put them to bed. How that can put a damper on romantic evenings.
* There is never anything to clean up when you get home. They weren't there so viola! no mess.
* Here's a perk for the other mom - once Kat puts the kids to bed, she gets a little alone time - the chance to brew a big cup of tea and read a book or watch her favorite show.
My older kids can babysit my younger kids. So how does that work?
I don't know about you, but even though my older kids babysit others and their siblings, the reasons listed previously (phone calls, messy house, etc) keeps on track with the current course of date night. We foresee this happening until all our kiddos move on down the road.
So if you're looking for a way to have some alone time with your honey, find another couple that's as desperate as you and have them read this article! - 15437
About the Author:
Julie and Matt Hellstrom are a happily married couple with 5 wonderful, impossible kids, and they've gained much practical experience during their marriage. Learn about their tribulations and joys at their Marriage Blog. Friday Night Date Night is just one of the many tips you'll find at our How to Fix My Marriage website - http://howtofixmymarriage.com.
