My five year anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks. As such, I have been thinking about finding some alone time with my husband, if even just for a meal. In fact, as this is our fifth wedding anniversary, we were planning to take our first vacation since the honeymoon, kid-free. Alas (or, perhaps fortunately) we bought a house instead, which means we probably don’t have much money to spend going on a date together, even on our anniversary. This is slightly problematic seeing as our last date was… just about a year ago on our fourth anniversary.
Don’t follow our example.
This is all to say, I completely understand how hard it can be to find adult time. Even when babysitters can’t be a priority and date nights at fancy restaurants are unable to happen, there are still ways to take a bit of a break and spend time with other adults who you love and enjoy. Just last week, my husband invited me out on a spontaneous lunch date in the middle of our work day. We spent it on the Halifax waterfront, enjoying take-away food. It was simple and easy and just what we needed to bring us a little closer.
I’ve already told you about two chats that I had with Rebecca from Playground Confidential and Buzz Bishop from Dad Camp over on The All Good Blog: One conversation about Stress-free Family Dinners and another about Talking and Laughing at the Dinner Table. The final chat I want to share with you is all about the importance of adult-only meals and how hard it can be make them happen. It is comforting to know that I am not the only one who struggles in this area, and it was so great to get some ideas of how other busy parents make it work. I’d love for you to check it out and share how you manage to find some grownup time with your spouse and friends.
My biggest tip is to start small and manageable. Here’s part of what you’ll find from me on the All Good Blog:
I really do try to make it a priority and try to break bread with friends at least once a month. Normally, it isn’t a full meal, but sometimes as a parent, we have to allow ourselves to take little steps. Usually I meet girlfriends for dessert and let my husband put the kids to bed. This gives me a much-needed break and gives me an opportunity to connect with other adults.Continue Reading…
Just a reminder that you can also tell McCain what is “All Good” about summer over on Pinterest for a chance to win $100. The contest details are described here on my blog, or click on the photo below to jump over to the McCain blog for more information.
This is a sponsored post. Still, I’m serious when I say, I need a friggen date with my husband. Or possibly a cruise. I’m trying to be grateful for our new house and not bemoan the loss of the vacation. I promise to try to make more of an effort to find adult time.
Meghan and I had our 5th anniversary in May. We had $200 worth of Keg gift cards saved up and Meghan’s mother was up. We left the house for 2.5 glorious adult hours and ate the most expensive meal I have ever bought. It was wonderful. We never could have done it if not for a lot of help, and about two years worth of gift card hoarding.
I hope whatever you do for your 5 years, date or no, trip or no is enjoyable.
Christopher D Drew recently posted..Munchkin Interviews
That’s an awesome idea! It is too bad we don’t have any gift cards for restos!
Last year it was such a blessing that my parents could be in town for our anniversary date. They will be in Europe this year.
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Grownup Time? What’s That?
Oh yes, adult-only meals are so important, even if it’s a quick dinner at 5.00 pm, down the road. :) My husband and I try to eat out, just us, once a week. It’s a nice break from cooking, and it’s a good opportunity for us to catch up on the week past.
Alison recently posted..Thoughts, and a Recipe
I’m super impressed you guys get out together so much! Way to go!
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Grownup Time? What’s That?
5 years!!! First of all, CONGRATS!!
Second of all, make SURE you guys get alone time!! :) When Jay and I don’t have the money or babysitters to go OUT on a date night, we will have a date-night IN once Gabe is in bed. You and Dan should do that – make a nice meal (or order in), pour a glass of wine, and enjoy a nice, relaxing, quiet adult meal while your beautiful boys are snoozing away.
Jason and I try to make it a priority to date once a month…sometimes that’s just like you guys – a spontaneous lunch break together in the middle of the work day, a morning coffee before work, or splurging on a babysitter and going out to eat (or just for ice cream). I think it’s key to a marriage with children!! ;)
candice rempel recently posted..Happy Birthday to Me!
Thanks Candice! Still a couple of weeks until the day, but five years is an exciting milestone!
I tried to implement a once-a-month date night at home, but we’re always so pooped or busy after work that we could never make it work. Once we get through the busyness of moving, I’ll try to implement a once-a-month date again. :) (PS: It would be SO much easier if we had family around. Sigh.)
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Grownup Time? What’s That?
Congratulations on the 5 years! This December it will be my 5 year anniversary as well, but our baby is only 6 months old. Our problem as for getting out is the lack of babysitters since we live in the middle of nowhere. We also live 1 hour away from a small city and 2 hours away from anything decent sized (Edmonton, AB), so it’s hard to travel that far even when someone can watch her. Anyways, enjoying your blog and thanks for sharing! :)
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Thanks for the kind words about my blog, Danelle!
Oh, it would be SO hard to live in the middle of nowhere when it comes to dating! I find it hard enough not having family nearby, but at least there are lots of people and plenty of date options. I hope you’ll be able to find some way to celebrate your five year anniversary in style!
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Grownup Time? What’s That?
Congrats both of you. Wish you all the best in life and continue as a happy couple.. May god bless both of you.
Thank you so much Des!
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Grownup Time? What’s That?
Having a few *ahem* years on you and a teenager I can now say I have several adult only meals a month. I won’t be going on a cruise any time soon, but I do appreciate the alone time I have with my husband. Taking the time to escape, even just for the afternoon, is so important. Buying the house? It will be worth the sacrifice.
Poppy recently posted..Tips for Beginning Runners – You’re Never Too Old!
Yes, it WILL be worth the sacrifice. And honestly? A house is the biggest gift I could ever ask for. I have wanted a house for YEARS! I’m currently in stressed-out-panic mode about moving though, so a vacation would be really nice right now. ;) Still, house definitely trumps anniversary cruise. DEFINITELY!
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Grownup Time? What’s That?
We try to have some sort of “date” at least once a month. And sometimes it is lunch together while all kids are in school. It’s SO important! Cute photo of you two. :)
I’m definitely going to try the once-a-month date thing – even if it is just coffee or a lunch together or an evening desert after the kids are in bed. But not until after the move. No need to have more time commitments on us right now!
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Grownup Time? What’s That?
Happy 5th Anniversary :)
So nice you two had some time to yourselves to celebrate!
Adult time is so important!! My husband and I have only gone out once together since the babe has been born when we visited family at Easter and took advantage of family for babysitters. Living away from family and not knowing any suitable babysitters makes it very difficult to even think of going on a date.
However, each night my hubby and I get an hour or two alone together on the couch since our sweet babe (usually) is in bed by 7-7:30. It’s much needed at the end of the day!
That is one of our biggest weaknesses as a couple – not getting out together enough.
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Happy anniversary first of all! I really understand you, we have the same problem “no family nearby”, so its a shame but this year we just forgot about our 12 anniversary…((( But we compensated this forgotten date with a 3 day vacation kids free) It was amazing, relaxing and consolidating…I also try to hang out with my girls once a month, it helps a lot to go away from hustle and bustle of family life.
Hope you’ll find out something to spend together this special day, may be a picnic or cinema, both of you may take a day off and go for a walk, eat pizza or ice cream….