1) WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO DATE YOUR SPOUSE
Because you need to rekindle that love for each other. You fell in love for a reason. After kids come around, the family dynamic changes. The kids tend to take the most attention and the partnership can get lost sometimes. But...kids leave eventually. You and your partner are in this for the long run. I firmly believe that to have a successful marriage, you have to have some quality time with your spouse. Without the kids.
Yes, your kids need YOU! BOTH OF YOU! If you dedicate time each week, or at least a good portion of time once a month, the kids will get BOTH OF YOU! HAPPY and IN LOVE! Isn't that what you want them to remember? Having a strong family takes hard work and dedication to all members of the family including your partner.
3) IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE
Just get out of the house! Go for a walk, just the two of you. Go get a scoop of ice cream. Go have a picnic. Go sample tasting at Costco. Window shopping. Make sure you hold hands. Joke, kiss, enjoy your time without the kids. Try not to talk about the kids. Talk about the two of you which is so hard since so much of your life revolves around the kids, but try to talk about the two of you.
4) BUDGET YOUR DATES IN YOUR MONTHLY FINANCIAL PLANS
To make sure you can always get away, plan for it in your monthly financial budget so that there is no excuse not to be able to do it! It really is that important. For us, I set aside enough to cover a babysitter and a smaller date. And if it is a birthday month for either of us, or our anniversary we budget more to get an extra special dinner and maybe a longer time away. And don't always make it a dinner and a movie. Change it up. Movies, there is no talking. You need to talk together!
5) KID SWAP WITH OTHER PARENTS
To save money for not only you but for another couple, kid swap. One night, you watch your kids and another couple's kids while that couple goes out on a date. And then on another night, they watch your kids while you go on a date. Paying a babysitter can get expensive. And this helps not just you and your partner go on a date but another couple too! It's a win win for both of you.
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