3 Reasons You Should Go on “Dates” with Your Kids

I love going on dates—whether it’s a date night with my husband or lunch/dinner with my girl friends. They are great times to (re)connect with others and talk without the distractions of laundry, dishes, and life.

Last year, one of my kids asked why I always go on dates with daddy but not him. I could not come up with an answer. Why wasn’t I going on dates with my kids? Don’t they deserve my undivided attention, too? Thus, I immediately added in “dates” with kids into my routine and let me tell you, they have been so fun! 

Here are 3 reasons you should try them too:

1. Your Child Will Feel Important.

Regardless of how many children you have, one-on-one time with you will make your child feel special and important. As a mom, we are always doing something when our kids are around. For example, after I pick up my kids from school, it is a mad rush to get to sports practice, make dinner, clean the dishes, and do homework. When my kids ask to play a game, or tell me about what they did at school, I am usually half paying attention at best.

If this sounds familiar to you, I encourage you to set aside “date” time with each of your children. Undivided attention from you will make your child feel so important—like s/he is the only thing that matters.

2. You Get to Know Your Child Better

Dates allow your child to talk to you about anything they want without interruption. Conversations at home may be dominated by a more talkative child or be disrupted by parents discussing work and schedules; but on a date, your kids can talk to you without being drowned out.

I have gotten to know about my kids’ friends, what classes they like, why the beef taco salad is the best lunch at school, and why a Patrick Mahomes SqueezyMate is worth 2 others in a trade. My kids are funny little people and often say things that make me laugh out loud. I have also learned that even at the age of 4, my daughter has already decided who she is going to marry (God bless her teenage years).

Dates with my children have helped me identify more of their unique traits, especially between my identical twins, and it is so fun seeing them grow into their personalities! 

3. You Will Feel More Connected as a Mom

Not only are dates good for kids, but they are also good for the mom soul. At times, we all feel disconnected to our kids because of the mundane routines of life. Sometimes it’s like we are just going through the motions instead of being present in the moment.  Oftentimes, I feel mom guilt for not spending enough time with my kids after work or not turning the time I have into quality time. Dates with my children have helped me feel better and given me the opportunity to connect more deeply with my kids. Perhaps they will help you, too!

These dates do not have to be extravagant. They can be as simple as going to get ice cream together, having a picnic lunch at a park, or spending an afternoon at the zoo. I have planned dates in advance for my kids, and, on occasion, have surprised them by checking them out of school early. My husband has also jumped on this bandwagon and taken our daughter on dates, and, let me tell you, she is beyond giddy about it.  It may be more work for you as parents, but “dating” your kids is so rewarding and completely worth it. Try it out and let us know how it goes!

Let us know in the comments if you are interested in hearing more about ideas for dates with kids in Birmingham!