Making Time for Date Night

t is easier said than done, but how can you manage to fit even more stuff into your already overcrowded schedule?  Your planner will explode!  Well, here are 3 steps into achieving time for date night with your spouse.

1.  Agree on what to do and how often.

Each couple has different things they enjoy, and date night is your chance to do it!  It can be eating out (or ordering take-out), cooking together, snuggling up on the couch sans kids, a night at the movies, a walk at the park, an art exhibit, coffee, biking, hiking, visiting the local botanic garden or arboretum, or just watching TV together.  Whatever it is that you agree on doing, set a date for it, and also, set how often you will make time for date night.  Be realistic, though.  If you both are working 60 hour work-weeks, date night twice a week might be overkill.

I recommend date night anywhere from once a week to once a month.  It could be more often if you really have the chance, but definitely no less than once a month.  Why?  Because otherwise it is too long a time period without revisiting each other.

You can also plan out date nights for up to 2 or 3 months.  I don’t recommend planning them much farther ahead, because many different things may affect longer term plans.

2.  Set some simple ground rules.

The longer you’re married, the more issues arise.  A simple way to ensure a fantastic date night is to set simple rules of things to avoid or do.  For example, my husband and I tend to only talk about work and our baby, so we make it a point that during date night, we will not talk about work, and we will not talk about our baby.  This opens up communication lines to other topics.

I made it a personal rule that on date night, I will make sure I compliment my husband on at least one thing, and at the end of the date thank him for such a wonderful time.

It may seem small, but you will soon find out the marvels these tiny changes can cause.

3.  Commit to your date night plan.

It’s as easy as it sounds.  If you really want date night to happen, commit to it, and make it happen.  Block the time out in your calendar.  Arrange for a babysitter if needed.  And, no matter how tired you might be that day, give it your best shot.  I can guarantee your marriage will be all the better for it.

In anticipation to your date with your spouse, you could also try to get a card, a flower, a chocolate, or a small gift.  Just a small token of appreciation to the wonderful spouse you married.

I hope these simple steps help your relationship.  Doing these things with my husband has been very helpful.