Fifty Cheap Dates
Shalee is hosting an amazing carnival today. She's asking for our ideas for inexpensive dates and ways to reconnect with our spouses.
The thing Husband and I do is go to bed with each other every night. While we are laying in bed, we discuss our day, what the kids are doing, future events, or (more often than not) just make each other laugh. We do this every. single. night.
This may not be considered a date per se, but it is essential for us to reconnect. There are some days when family life is so hectic we barely get to greet each other when he comes home. Our time in bed before sleep allows us to slow down and reconnect.
Head on over to Shalee's to everyone else's ideas. Better yet, write your own post and add it to her list!
Good for you, Chili. This is something we have talked and talked about and I'm always the one who doesn't follow through. Craig is such a morning person and I'm such a night one. I DEPEND on the late evening hours to get a lot of things done that I never had time to do during the day. I've tried to change, but always fail.
I need to try harder...
Posted by: Megan | February 06, 2007 at 08:48 AM
I too think it's critical to have that downtime with your spouse before you go to sleep. It's allows you to stay connected.
Posted by: Heather | February 06, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Oh, you are so right Chili! Some days are so chaotic, I'm saying hello to Mr. Right as we are getting ready for bed.
According to marital studies, taking 10-15 minutes a day (but of course I prefer more) to talk uninterrupted with your spouse can save a marriage. One of the reasons cited for marriages ending is the lack of communication and connection that is lost over time.
Excellent point!
Posted by: Shalee | February 06, 2007 at 09:43 AM
That is a wonderful thing to do. We need to do this more often. Sometimes it seems as though we are strangers passing by when life gets hectic! Thanks for sharing this. Definitely need to put this one into practice! :) Have a great day!
Posted by: Becky | February 06, 2007 at 10:17 AM
This is a great suggestion! We always go to bed at the same time; we just need to work on actually talking to each other instead of falling asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Lauren S. | February 06, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Yes, thanks for the inspiration, Chilihead. ... I'm sure it's much easier for you to carry this out every single night with Matty in the apron keeping the house sparkling.
Posted by: Jenny | February 06, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Oh, how I wish we could do this! Every now and then, we do. Unfortunately, I'm an early morning person and Oronzo is a night owl so we don't always go to bed at the same time. But when we do, we're the same way, we spend quite a bit of time talking before going to sleep. I think some of our best discussions and problem solving accomplishments happen during our pillow talk. :)
I offered one, cheap and fun idea in my post!
Posted by: Overwhelmed! | February 06, 2007 at 05:03 PM
We don't do this every night but we do this VERY often and I agree. It is extremely important.
Thanks!
Posted by: Kathleen Marie | February 06, 2007 at 05:29 PM
I am lucky in that dh will go to bed with me and after I fall asleep (which is pretty quick) he leaves and goes into his office to watch tv, surf the internet-whatever. I hope that when kids come, we can keep this up.
Posted by: Jane | February 06, 2007 at 06:58 PM
We do the same thing, and we make sure to turn off the TV and computer. There's something about savoring the quiet with one another. We never go to sleep without at least telling each other "I love you."
Posted by: Everyday Mommy | February 06, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Yes, this get to bed to reconnect idea is a great suggestion! Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Elisa
www.laundry-alternative.net
Posted by: Elisa | February 07, 2007 at 08:16 AM