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Date Night – Get a Babysitter!
September 24th, 2011 | 
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I may not be a mother yet, but I know what it is like to be in a relationship (and I can’t imagine the strain that a child would place on that equation as well!) and I know that sometimes even good, strong relationships get into a rut.
So today I’m here to remind all you mothers to take advantage of all those teenagers looking for babysitting jobs! Hire one! If you and your significant other don’t have an evening a week or every two weeks set aside for a date night, get started. You need to remember what it is like to be with each other, no distractions (and let’s face it, as much as we love them, children are major distractions). Be romantic – and not just in the bedroom. Be cute in public at a dinner outside on the patio of your favorite restaurant (that you don’t go to anymore because it isn’t quite kid-friendly).
You aren’t abandoning your children. You are keeping your own relationship alive so that your children will always have a family with two parents, and not just remember having two parents.
You aren’t abandoning your children! Whether it’s the next-door neighbor who has been around your kids since they were young, or the college kid home from the summer, you need to trust that your babysitter will be responsible. And hey, a good babysitter can become a part of your extended family, and don’t be afraid to start that process.
If you and your partner aren’t in the mood to go out, but still want to take a small vacation from parenthood – still hire that babysitter and shut yourselves off from the rest of the world. Turn off the lights (no, that’s not what I’m talking about) and rent a movie that you would never watch with the kids – violence, complicated plot and nudity, oh my!
Besides the dinner and movie date idea, here are a few (and some cheap!) possibilities to get you up and out of the door:
- Go to the mall: I know, I know – the mall?! Yes. It gives you and your partner and excuse to meander and talk about whatever comes to your mind, or just be in each others company. You don’t even have to shop!
- Local concerts: Now, I’m not talking about the massively loud, crowd-surfing, moshing concerts of your younger days. I’m talking about free concerts in the local park where you can bring your own chairs, sit and enjoy.
- Dessert out after a walk around town: Same idea as the mall – plus the enticing promise of sweets!
- Try new cuisine: Whether it’s that new Indian restaurant or Mongolian, get out of your comfort zone and try something new together.
- His & Hers – split your night between something each partner has been dying to do – whether it’s a manicure then heading to the driving range, no complaining allowed.
These are just a few ideas to get your marriage back to the two of you. While your children may seem like the center of your world (and oftentimes are) remember, their well being is just as much about taking care of yourself and your relationships than it is taking care of them.
Ann Michaels remembers fondly (for the most part) her days of babysitting jobs, and looks forward to the day when she can have a family of her own, date night included.
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