Prioritizing Date Night: A Simple Step to Strengthen Your Marriage

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I found myself at the local soccer field, wrangling my three kids while asking the coach about practice schedules. As the mom who usually scrambles to figure out the details, I was surprised to learn that practices were on Thursday nights.

“Thursday nights?” I said. “You won’t see me then. That’s date night. You’ll be seeing Sarah, our babysitter.”

“Is that just for this week?” he asked.

“Nope,” I replied. “Every week. Thursday night is our dedicated date night.”

“Seriously?! That sounds nice,” he responded, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

“It’s a whole lot nicer than divorce,” I shot back.

And you know what? It really is.

I understand how planning a date night can feel like an extravagant task. It involves hiring a babysitter, putting on makeup, and changing into something that isn’t covered in food stains or remnants of toddler messes. It’s no easy feat.

Plus, finding a common night each week can be challenging when both partners are juggling work, kids, and a mountain of household chores. And let’s not forget the cost – dining out means spending money on meals you could have enjoyed at home, along with babysitting expenses that can add up quickly. But, trust me, it’s far less expensive than navigating a divorce.

For my partner and me, date night holds significant meaning. We’ve been married for 15 years, and while we met in a creative setting, our lives have transformed dramatically since then. Once upon a time, we were carefree, embarking on spontaneous adventures with nothing but a loaf of bread, cheese, and a bottle of wine. Fast forward to today, and we’re busy managing careers, raising our children, and handling adult responsibilities.

After 15 years together, we’ve evolved into different individuals. Life has kept us on our toes, and yes, we even sometimes forget to shut the bathroom door.

Now, let’s be clear: activities like PTA meetings, playdates, or family outings do not count as date nights. Date night is a sacred time for you and your spouse—the foundation of your relationship that ensures you won’t need to sign any other contracts, like divorce papers.

Every Thursday, I know I’ll have my husband all to myself, and we can enjoy a cozy dinner at our favorite restaurant or grab some burgers from our local spot and relax at the beach. Pure romance, right?

It’s easy to think that in the past, couples didn’t need to prioritize date night. After all, they were busy with daily survival tasks. But in our modern world, we may need to spend up to 80 years with our partners, so making time for each other is essential.

So, put it on your calendar and treat it as non-negotiable. If the cost of a babysitter is an issue, consider swapping childcare with a friend who also needs a night out. You can even enjoy a simple backyard picnic with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while keeping an eye on the kids with a baby monitor. Whatever it takes, it’s still date night.

If we stay committed to this routine, we’ll be left with each other when our kids are off starting their own lives. And hopefully, we’ll also still have regular date nights to nurture our relationship.

For more insights on maintaining relationships and navigating family life, check out this article on in vitro fertilisation as well as our post about home insemination kits, which can be helpful resources.

So prioritize that date night—it’s worth it.