Practical ways to date your spouse after kids

While the dream is that you’re able to afford or find a sitter and go on a fancy well planned out date weekly with your significant other, the reality is that once you have kids that likely won’t happen. If you’ve figured it out, more power to you, but if you haven’t, or you’re looking for new ideas here are some real ways we’ve made it work! ​

When/if you can get a babysitter:

• A movie and dinner
• Dinner alone - depending on the age of your kiddos it might be nice to eat a meal while it’s still warm with free hands and enjoy a conversation with your significant other
• Go for a hike or do something outdoors
• Do something you used to love before kids

In the more likely case that you can’t find a sitter you have to get creative. This post is a great resource for ideas that are already thought out for you. Additionally, this list of games you can play with just two people can come in handy! On top of those ideas here are some things we regularly implement.

• Lunch date - if you are both working, take advantage of the daycare you’ve already got and schedule a weekly or bi-weekly lunch date​
• Shower date - depending on how old your kid is once they are asleep, hope in the shower with your loved one (even with an infant in the same room as you); the curtain provides enough privacy to feel like you’re alone
  
• After the kiddos go to sleep make a special treat together or watch a movie snuggled up
  
• Take advantage of the childcare options built into things you already do, childcare at the gym? Go workout together.
• Go grocery shopping together with your kiddo in their childcare center, then you can plan out dinners together and even plan a fun evening treat!
  
• Go for a drive during nap time. This is a great way to get some quiet alone time with your loved one.
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One more option if you really don’t like planning is to splurge on a date night in a box that is mailed to you monthly. This can be a fun thing to do that requires no thought at all!

Dating after kids is not impossible even if it feels like it at the moment. The ways we’ve found to keep dating is take advantage of the natural times we are kid free. I know that evenings and nap times are sacred for getting things done, cleaning up the house, folding laundry, and all the other tasks that fill our days. Include your significant other in those tasks and get them done twice as fast and have time to snuggle up on the couch or drink a cup of tea together. If you have a new baby and find that you’re often holding that baby just simply holding hands is a way to connect with your loved one.

We’ve all heard how important it is to continue to date your significant other and later this week we will share an article that explains the importance of investing in your partnership. It is so easy to let this aspect of life sit on the back burner while you’re busy adjusting to this new life. However, it is so important to make time for them. It was the two of you before all this change and that relationship is still as important. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or even planned out. Spending one night a week and watch TV together and snuggle, go for a walk together with or without kids, or go to bed 15 minutes earlier so you have a chance to connect.

A great resource for fun dates is The Dating Divas if you need any more ideas!

Please share with us any ideas you've found work for you in the comments!