Mom and Dad Time
Obtaining time alone together can be a challenge for many parents. Late evening is not always ideal for spending quality time with each other either. You’re usually tired so it’s also not a good idea to try to resolve problems then or you’ll never sleep.
Ways for parents to get more time together
Plan a date. It’s common sense but sometimes this gets overlooked. Your children might need a ride to the movies, one has a basketball game or you get busy trying to calm a tantrum or helping with their homework.
Dates don’t happen spontaneously when you have a bunch of kids so you have to let everyone know you will be unavailable. Leaving the house usually gives them the message. If they look at you strange and ask where you’re going and why, you probably don’t do it enough. If a sitter is an issue consider seeing if a neighbor would be interested in exchanging babysitting services.
- Agree on a set “quiet time” with your kids regardless of age. This generally works out for us because if it’s any later than 10:00pm and there are still phones ringing and children running up and down the stairs I will snap. This also gives parents the chance to have their own quiet time before they’re too exhausted to enjoy it.
- Put it in your budget. It’s not always going to cost a lot of money but even a night at home becomes more special with favorite foods, drinks, movie rentals, candles, games, toys, clothes etc. When you have the stuff ready ahead of time it’s easier to make it happen. No fun planning to spend an evening playing cards only to discover you don’t own a deck.
When you make time alone together a priority, it helps you bond without your children and makes you better parents. It’s important for single parents to have time away from their children as well. They’re not always going to be around either so you might as well practice doing things without them.
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