Dating For Parents; It's Crucial
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By :
Shawn Wilson
Submitted
2008-11-30 22:44:54 |
Before you get married, you date. Simple, right? You spend time together, as a couple, doing things you love, both in and out of the bedroom. You may share similar hobbies, go to the movies, out for leisurely dinners, weekend jaunts to out of the way bed and breakfasts, hiking, skiing, the list is endless.
Then you got married. And things didn't change a whole lot. If you were living together before you got married, the only thing that's really changed is the fact that you now have a piece of paper 'legalizing' you as a couple.
And then you had children.
And life as you knew it changed forever.
Yes, these two sentences each deserve a paragraph all to themselves because it really is true. Once the kids come along the chances are that those spur of the moment getaways and spontaneous romps in the bedroom aren't as unplanned as they used to be!
Far too many couples that I know, my husband and myself included, drift along, caught up in the daily doings of work and home life. And somewhere along the way, we lose sight of ourselves as a couple, until one day you wake up and look at the person lying next to you and think 'who is that stranger?'
If you've reached this stage, there's no time to waste. It's time to go on a date! The following can be planned by either party.
Start simply, after all, you haven't done this in a while. Pick an evening next week when you know you'll both be available (dating for one just doesn't work!) and that you know the kids won't need driving all over for extracurricular activities such as playdates, birthday parties etc.
I suggest that for this 'first' date that plan an at home evening. Put the kids to bed by 8 whether they like it or not. This is your time, they've had theirs.
Buy a bottle of your favorite wine, and some easy to prepare finger foods. I usually buy a box of frozen assorted hors d'oeuvres. Make it a point to dress up for the occasion. It is a date after all and you want to make a good impression. That means doing all the things you would normally have done way back when, right down to the sexy underwear. This is no time for sensible white cotton.
Turn the lights down low, light some candles, and put on your favorite music. Talk to your partner about your day, what's new, what's old, whatever. At this stage it doesn't really matter WHAT you talk about, as long as you talk!
Repeat regularly. If you can do this once a week, great. If not, do it as often as possible, just the two of you, no kids, no distractions. Mark it on the calendar like you would your other activities and teach your kids that date night is for Mom and Dad only.
If the budget allows, hire a babysitter, and go out for dinner once a month.
Date night will once again become something that you look forward to. It's a chance to keep your connection as a couple and it will remind you of why you married this person in the first place.
You'll be strangers no longer. |
Author Resource:-
This article was written by Shawn Wilson, a member of the customer support team at Datepad, where internet dating is always free. Datepad has a massive directory of informative dating articles along with a great list of dating site reviews on their dating blog.
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