Date night with THE KIDS

 I've read dozens and dozens of parenting books but somehow we've never tried one thing, one little thing that is about to change our lives.  My kids have been reading on this Sylvan Learning Center website (bookadventure.org) for three years now.  This summer their goal was to read enough books to earn a date night with either Mom or Dad.  My son chose Dad  and my daughter chose Mom.  They each got to go out for about three hours with just one of us.  We are blown away by what that one on one time meant to them.  We've decided to get serious about this and put future dates on the calendar NOW.  It was a great time of bonding without competing for attention.  We have a fairly demanding toddler so this was good for the big kids to be free of that for a while.  I cannot recommend this enough.  If you've never tried this with your kids, give it a  shot.  I know I've read about that and I thought it would be a hassle.  We let the idea go and never pursued it.  I'm now kicking myself for not doing this for the last decade.  We are now going to have random, scheduled date nights with all three of our kids.  We're  getting out the calendars tomorrow night at dinner.  I can't wait to see how God's going to bless our efforts, time, and relationships.  

Be lifted!

Sue

1 Corinthians 2:9

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.

The Return of Date Night

My husband often works out of the home, so we see each other more often than the average couple. But even with all of shared space, we still need a date night!

Last night, we got one in the form of a fantastic marriage seminar with Bill and Pam Farrel, authors of Red Hot Monogamy and Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti. They inspired us to have fun together, write a family mission statement, and date regularly.

Dating is especially a challenge when a new baby comes along. So I want to encourage you to be creative! Why not try:

• A romantic candlelight dinner or dessert at home after baby is asleep


• A stroll through a favorite park with baby - just make sure all the conversation isn't taken up with talk about baby


• Leaving baby with a family member or friend for just one hour while you get coffee together

And of course, there's always red hot monogamy which is probably your husband's favorite date activity! Plus, burning calories in bed will help those pounds come off too! Read more about pleasing your sweet spouse on Father's Day in my article "Father's Day: What Your Husband Really Wants."

Enjoy your Father's Day weekend and remember to put the spotlight on your husband!

Honor your father and your mother. Exodus 20:12

-Arlene