Do you ever feel like you are going in separate directions all the time? Traditionally this time of year, my husband and I get a sitter for overnight, and we go out of town together to do some Christmas shopping. Because of a job situation we were not able to go this year. No big deal, I tried to tell myself, and started trying to remember the last time we had eaten dinner together with no children.... still thinking.... it was actually for our anniversary in May, I think.
So instead of a gift I was going to get him, I think what I will do is get a babysitter and we will have dinner together. It seems silly, and I know all the "experts" tell us we should make time for each other, but how many of you really do it? I am really asking, so leave a comment! We always talk about it but never actually follow through with it. Instead of my usual New Years resolution to loose some weight, I am going to commit to really make an effort to spend an evening a month together, no children.
One of the sponsors I have on my site ( did you know I have any?) is Juice Box Jungle. They are the cute little parenting videos in the green box on the right side of my blog. This month they are taking a poll asking if you think you and your spouse go out to dinner with each other enough? You can click the picture above to answer.
One way they are trying to encourage parents to spend some time together is by eating out... alone. This month they are promoting Restaurants.com. We have used this site MANY times in the past, our very favorite mexican restaurant offered specials all the time on there. At Restruants.com you purchase $25 gift certificates to restaurants in your area for anywhere from $3-$10. After you pay for it you just print it off and take it in. We save a ton of money this way eating out. The restaurants do this as a promotion to get people in, and it works, we use their gift certificates a lot.
So take a look at Restaurants.com ( especially if you are having family in town for the Holiday's, and are sick of cooking!) and click on the Juice Box Survey above! But most important, spend some quality time with your spouse this month!
13 comments:
WOW you have got me thinking.. Honestly I don't think we've had dinner together (me and my hubby) since our son was born.. 15 months ago!! We have had lunch a couple of times together.. My job has knocked me down to 4 days/week and my hubby works contract.. so a couple of times the baby will be in daycare/I have the day off and my husband may work close to home, then we'll have a quick bite to eat (I'm talking Taco Bell or McDonalds)...That's a long time not having a "real dinner date".
I'd be happy to baby sit!
This is one of the biggest 'conversations' Ben and I have. The problem is that by the time you cook dinner, clean up, spend the quality time with each of the kids, take care of church stuff, school stuff, work stuff, etc. there doesn't seem to be any time left. Then we have to find a babysitter which is expensive and hard and if we actually find a couple to trade off with then it means we have one night a month we are watching kids (which I know is fair but still takes up a night a month). When all is said and done though I am the kind of gal who HAS to have time with my hubby or I go on meltdown. Hmmmm, I am hoping it gets easier when the kids get older.
We've been lucky enough to go out about 2 times a month. We have so much family here that are able to watch our son. We even went on a trip for 4 days in September! However, we'll be moving to the L.A. area in August and we'll have no one there, so that's when it'll get difficult!
Wow...I realized the only time me and my husband have dinner together with-out the kids is at his annual Christmas party and due to the economy this year they are not even having a party. He works days and I work evenings and weekends so we do not need daycare. It is so hard with work, laundry, dinner, homework, and everything else that by the time the kids are finally asleep I just want some time alone. I definetly need to work on this!
We never go out. My parents are even close by now but we rarely use them for us to go out, just for other needs. We can rarely afford to go out anyway. If we do, we usually chose to go to a movie.
I totally agree with you and was planning/thinking of a date and regular date nights through out 2010 for a Christmas present for my hubby too! With him finishing his Ph.D/looking for jobs, and me chasing our little boys/managing the house, and not living close to family or very many people we know well, we really don't take much time to go out - just the 2 of us. Maybe a couple of times a year! That's sad. I want to/need to spend more us time! Thanks for your thoughts on this too!
My husband and I usually get to go out about once a year alone. However, I don't think we've been out since my 17 month old was born which makes things tough sometimes. We are also finding times tough and try to make due with time after the little one goes to bed. But with both of us being teachers then running a farm and being parents, we're exhausted by the end of the day. I also have to add that while my little one's grandparents would happily watch the little one over night, being a first time mom I can't think about having my little one sleep somewhere else without us! I'm sure that with child #2 that will all change (at least that's what I hear!) :) I think my husband and I need a break...thanks for motivating us!
My husband and I usually get to go out about once a year alone. However, I don't think we've been out since my 17 month old was born which makes things tough sometimes. We are also finding times tough and try to make due with time after the little one goes to bed. But with both of us being teachers then running a farm and being parents, we're exhausted by the end of the day. I also have to add that while my little one's grandparents would happily watch the little one over night, being a first time mom I can't think about having my little one sleep somewhere else without us! I'm sure that with child #2 that will all change (at least that's what I hear!) :) I think my husband and I need a break...thanks for motivating us!
I am fortunate to have tons of family close by that are always willing to watch my 8yr old and 5month old! I eat lunch with my hubby about 2-3times a week and then at least once a month we get some alone time.
We do not get time alone but maybe once every few months. I love that your resolution is to spend more time together. That will be my #2 since getting the baby weight off is first!
I wish we went out together more. We always say we are going to, and then one of the boys gets sick, or we are just too tired...always excuses. I think that will be my New Year's resolution too! It's so important, and everytime we do have a date night, we always have such a great time, and I think it makes us better parents when we return to reality.
I wish we went out together more. We always say we are going to, and then one of the boys gets sick, or we are just too tired...always excuses. I think that will be my New Year's resolution too! It's so important, and everytime we do have a date night, we always have such a great time, and I think it makes us better parents when we return to reality.
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