5 Ways Date Night Makes You a Better Parent

Solo time with your spouse makes you a better parent!It's no secret that parents - especially brand new parents - desperately need a date night out together without the kids. But did you know date nights aren't just for fun, but are also important to a family's harmony? Here are 5 reasons why date night is crucial:

1. Your children see you spending time together on purpose
There's no time like the present to teach the kiddos that their parents need to be intentional about their marriage. Why not explain to them that these dates are for a specific reason (and not just an escape)? They'll learn early on that, while they are very important, the family as a whole is also important.

Related: 5 things I wish I knew before becoming a mom

2. You have a regular reason to dress up
I don't know about you, but I'm not really having occasions to dress up these days. Regular date nights are a fantastic excuse for me to kick off the yoga pants and feel grown-up for a few hours.

3. It keeps your connection strong
This might be obvious, but it's important nonetheless. Are you putting in intentional time for your connection to your spouse? Having a baby around is all-too-often an (very good, but still) excuse for becoming two ships in the night. Don't let it happen!

Related: 6 tips from the pros for photographing your newborn

4. You children have a chance to be without you
Sometimes kids need to have some independent time to push themselves a little bit, and see how well they do on their own. Even babies can do well with some time away from mommy/daddy to grow their independence. Just a few hours on a regular basis can be really healthy for their confidence, too!

5. It keeps you sane
If this post had just one reason date nights are crucial - it would be this reason. Your sanity! We can get much too stir crazy as moms (and dads) of littles, and time out on the town with the partner we love clears away the cobwebs and helps us keep perspective.

- By Arianne Segerman
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