subject: The Mom & Dad Date - The Benefits Of Remembering To Date Your Spouse [print this page] After a couple marries most live out a life that many call the honeymoon phase. They still set regular dates, go out with other couples and have special alone time at home with one another. After the first baby is born, couples become very busy with taking care of a baby and at least one person is juggling a job as well. Many couples do not live near either of their parents, so grandparent babysitters are not an option for regular dates. In many cases finances become tighter with baby expenses and possibly one parent not working so the thought of paying a sitter plus the cost of dinner make many couples put it off.
Parents become used to a routine that does not include dating each other and then another child or more children join the family. It can become almost impossible to think of getting out for a date; however, Mom and Dad need to remember to date each other only if it's once a month. When a couple takes on the role of being parents, many put thoughts of keeping their marriage alive on the back burner. The Mom and Dad "hats" need to come off and plans need to be made for the couple that once had alone time, to have it again. Without adult time with their spouse their relationship can easily slip into the status of the parents of their children and house-mates.
A healthy family is one that is based on a happy and healthy marriage. When Mom and Dad can get away from work, the house, and the kids, they can rekindle fond feelings of each other that can be lost during day to day activities. When they return home feeling more in love and relaxed, they can be refreshed enough to be a happier parent. In many cases it's not that they were not a happy parent before, but after a date they realize they needed the space from the kids and a zip put back in their step.
Children benefit from parents dating as well. For one, when the marriage in the house is healthy it makes for a more secure and safe environment for a child to grow and prosper in. In addition, it allows children to spend time with a babysitter or a family member without their parents around. It can help children very dependent on their parents learn to spread their wings and it can give all children a small taste of independence. Sometimes it's the simple things like ordering a pizza or renting a new movie when the sitter is coming that can be exciting to some children. Just like adults, they need a change of pace too.
