Love is in the air...isn't it?

I was at Cool Beans Playhouse the other day, picking up toys and chatting with one of the moms.  She told me she needed to get home soon, so that she could get ready for their 'date night'.

What is that?!?

Most therapists agree, couples should schedule dates to keep their marriage strong.  And not just for Anniversaries or the upcoming Hallmark Holiday, AKA:  Valentines Day; but at least once/month.
And do I have to say it?  Without children, people. 

My husband and I are guilty of trading out our date nights for couples nights with friends.  We don't get a lot of opportunities to have date nights', but when we do, we feel like we need to go out with our friends and catch up - maybe even create a little mayhem and blow off steam - or play board games, which is probably more our speed.  (hahaha...) 

I know several people who have told me that they are not lucky enough to even get a night out - not even once.  This makes me feel very lucky to have the opportunity to go out without our kids - even if it IS once or the sometimes lucky, twice a quarter (give or take). 

Like most people these days, it is hard to have enough reason to cough up money and 'splurge' on ourselves.

We have good excuses:  we have to pay a sitter, find a sitter (*exhausting*), spend money on food and drinks, and then pay for the activity of our choice (where we typically end up talking about our boys). Of course, the movies are out, since it seems like it costs $20/person any more.

Which leads me to another question, "What else is there, besides dinner & drinks?"  We feel we might as well stay home and save at least $50.  We think about how we could be spending that money on the kids - maybe to take them to do something fun like the circus or take them to the museum - it is just frustrating and stressful.  Its easier to just toss 'date night' to the side & be practical.   Lets face it.  Our marriages suffer by doing this!

When I 'googled' date night and marriages, I found all types of suggestions.  I figure since we are all mostly in the same area, we might benefit from different ideas about what to do in our towns and maybe offer deals you know about.  Does your favorite restaurant have 1/2 off drink nights?  What about babysitters - where did you find your best babysitter?. 

I will begin with my one suggestion that can be done in any town, AND without a sitter:

Put the kids to bed & have a night without the TV and just be together.  Enjoy a carpet picnic with dinner, light candles & share the details of your day. 

Sounds romantic, doesn't it?

With all of that being said, what are some of your suggestions for 'date nights'?  I have a few, but they aren't always practical for everyone.  Like climbing into bubble bath drawn in a giant claw tub with your partner in crime.  I don't have that tub, but it would be cooler if I did.  (In other words, not practical.)


How do you schedule 'date night'?  What are the rules - are there rules? 

Can't wait to read about your suggestions!