“This was a nice change of pace.” My husband happily stated this. When? During a recent school day, we got to spend some time together alone. See once married with kids, it becomes increasingly difficult to date your spouse. I can attest to this.
But I can still recall when my husband and I were first started to date. Back then, we didn’t have a care in the world. I mean we certainly didn’t have children to be held accountable for morning, noon and night.
Recently, we both had the same day off work during the week. The kids were both in school. We were left with 6+ hours to spend along together during the daylight hours.
So, once again my first statement was in reference to how different, as well as how pleasant that this actually was.
See it was a long time coming.
During the baby years, one or both of our children were there during those days off. Same with the toddler years.
Then, the pre-school years may have allotted us an hour or two at the most alone if we were lucky.
But 6 straight week day hours, felt like we had won the date your spouse freedom lottery.
I honestly didn’t know where to begin or even what to do first.
Because date your spouse phenomenon simply is NOT an every day occurrence. See when you are parents to young kids, there is always someone there. There also always is something to be done, an event to attend together, chauffeuring to something or more.
But to have a quiet house without the kids home is quite frankly a rarity.
So the concept of dating your spouse while the kids are at school is new to me.
But still am going to share some ideas that I brainstormed to help others date your spouse, too.
5 Date Your Spouse Ideas While the Kids Are In School…
1. Binge DVR and/or Netflix Watching.
This one is a no-brainer. Why? Because you can lay in your bed for half the day, while zoning out to catch up on your DVR’d shows or even Netflix binge watch. All you need is a comfy bed and pillow. What follows next is completely up to you. Just saying…wink, wink!
2. Go ahead clean up together.
OK, this might be stretching it. But let’s face it. Cleaning is hard to accomplish especially when the kids are around. Because as soon as you clean one mess up, they usually create another. So, cleaning while they are in school does make sense, even if it is not the most fun way to spend the time without them together.
3. Enjoy the lunch, brunch or even breakfast date.
Since ingesting a warm meal pretty much was taken off the table once kids came into the picture, going on a date alone together to enjoy a hot meal is honestly another perfect way to spend this alone time with each other.
4. Get your shopping on.
Most of the shopping that is done is usually torture when you have to drag kids with you. So, if you can get it done while the kids are at school together and spend some quality time with each other this is just a bonus.
5. Catch an actual adult movie.
Our movie viewing is very often overrun by kids and family type of movies. Therefore getting to go to an actual adult, rated “R” movie alone is a nice change of pace. Once again another fine way to date your spouse while your kids are most definitely in school for the day.
Now that I have paid it forward with my above dating list, I am hopeful that I will also get to try a few more of these out soon now, too.
How about you? Are you in the dating your spouse, while the kids are in school phase?
Do you have any ideas to add to my date your spouse list?
Seana Turner says
Well, my husband is pretty much always traveling for work, so I didn’t have many of these stolen moments. But they are a wonderful time if you get them, because you aren’t exhausted by the day yet:) I find working together toward a common goal can be great for couples. Even something like “cleaning out the garage” can be fun and rewarding, and puts both of you on the same page. Of course, pick something you both agree one. If cleaning out the garage is going to lead to arguments, maybe just go out to brunch!
Janine says
So true, Seana and all about picking your battles or not!! š
Meredith Spidel says
Love this! Important and it matters–and these are cute, easy ideas. Would love to do any one of them with my husband.
Janine says
Thanks Meredith and I know any of these would be fun here, as well!! š
Kathy Radigan says
So funny you have this post today because Joe took the whole week off this week in celebration of my birthday. We had planned this because the kids would be in school. So far it’s been great to actually talk to the man I married without anyone asking us a million questions!
Janine says
Aw, again so happy that Joe took off and yay for the birthday week celebration, too!! xoxo š
William Holland says
I love the spirit of this posting, Janine. Keep the marriage fresh and exciting. Good for you, and Happy Tuesday to you.
Janine says
Aw, thank you Bill for the kind words and I agree about keeping things in a marriage fresh and exciting when possible, too. Happy Tuesday to you now, as well!! š
Jen says
This is fantastic! We are BIG fans of the lunch date, but I have been slacking on this a lot lately and really need to do better. Thanks for the gentle reminder š
Janine says
Aw, so happy to remind you, Jen š
Debbi says
We homeschool…so we had to wait a few years for daytime dates. lol
My hubby is retired and I only work part time so we are together a lot, but it was always with our daughter. But now that she is old enough to stay home alone….we do run away together….often. lol
Janine says
Love that you do run away together when you can, too Debbie š
Nina says
Such good ideas!
Janine says
Thanks Nina!! š
Amanda Love says
We very rarely have time to spend together alone because of his work hours, and when he does have time off, the kids are home. Those are however great ideas and even going for a ride together somewhere just to get out of the house without spending money is also good.
Janine says
I agree and honestly just getting out of the house – money spent or not is a feat!!
Cynthia says
Hehe, you’re so cute! I love it that you have such a wonderful relationship with your Husby. š
And 6 hours! Haha!
I hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday! Sending hugs!
Janine says
Aw, thanks always Cyndi and wishing you a Wonderful Wednesday now, too!! Hugs right back at you!! <3
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I love these ideas, and I think it is so important to find some time to be with your husband. With that being said, our date usually includes my special needs son who is 20 and my youngest daughter, Diana. Diana is in the 9th grade but homeschooled. Although she is 14 and should be able to stay by herself, she cannot. Because of living in an orphanage for so long, she is years behind most kids her age. Even with have these two kids around, it seems like a date to us. It is much better now than when all five kids were home. As much as we enjoy everyone being home most weekends, it gets deafening and crazy.
Thanks for sharing your date ideas. I think we will plan a lunch date today.
Blessings,
Diane
Janine says
Aw, happy to share and do hope you get your lunch day in if not today, very soon now Diane!! <3
Chris Desatoff says
I remember enjoying those days (and nights) when we could go out without the boys. We were lucky enough to do it fairly often, since my wife’s mom lived with us back then, but we didn’t want to impose too much or take advantage, so it wasn’t an all-the-time thing.
I remember one night we went to Walmart without the kids at midnight and absolutely LOVED it lol. That’s parenting for ya.
Janine says
Chris, it is the little things in life and even going to Walmart at midnight on our own sounds amazing to me, too!! š
Mary says
You two look so cute and young and full of life. I love the idea of going on a date while your kids are in school. These are some great tips Janine, thanks for sharing Iām going to send it to some of my married friends. š
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Mary and glad you can share, too!! š
Aunt Gloria says
What a great idea – having a daytime date while the kids are in school! I felt liberated just thinking about it and I don’t have kids! It’s a nice way to keep the “couple” alive and well! I hope you had a fun day. And will plan more of the same in the future. xxoo
Janine says
Thanks Aunt Gloria and yes was fun. Also hope for more soon here, too!! xoxo š
Rea says
Totally agree with you on this. It’s hard to score some time out with the husband so having that actual time at your disposal is really a good thing. Just last night, my husband and I went to eat out at my fave restaurant since I just arrived from my 10-day trip. š Cheers to more date nights! š
Janine says
Definitely cheers to more date nights! Hoping you enjoyed your most recent, too!! š
Leslie says
I completely understand this. These days we’ve always at least got the little guy with us. I do remember one time when the Husband and I both took off work to go see a movie and catch a meal while the kids were in school. That was a lovely afternoon!
Janine says
That does sound like a wonderful afternoon š
Amie says
We have a 19 month old and an almost 4 month old so time is pretty limited. We tried to have a date night and it just ended up up ancuddle watching xfactor then an early night! #HappyNow
Janine says
Amie, I remember those days so well, as my girls are only 16 apart and once upon a time ago had an 19 month old and 3 month old, too. The early nights were a god send and TV watching was a must, too š
Tamara says
We recently had a day with no kids. A weekday! Such rebels. Sadly we both worked from home, but the potential was there. A good Netflix binge and popcorn is awesome. Actually going out to the movies is Cassidy’s favorite.
Janine says
Aw, can’t always take advantage of this and know what you mean, but still nice when you can. I also agree about Netflix and even the movies, too!! š
Nellie says
omg these are just FANTASTIC ideas!! I had this dilemma when I had my husband take off for his bday and we went to a breakfast spot we have been wanting to go to since forever!!
Janine says
Aw, wonderful dilemma to have and just glad you both got to enjoy his birthday together still!! š
catherine gacad says
my husband works from home every day and i do on fridays – so we always have a date lunch on fridays!
Janine says
Awesome and yay to lunch dates on Fridays!! š