I read the most interesting article today. It was on cnn.com of all places, and it was all about certain things you can do to be a happier mom.
I was looking at this list because, yet again, these winter evenings are taking their toll on me. I don’t know about you, but I definitely get a case of the winter blues every year.
Ever since I had my third child, I can’t seem to get control of my emotions in the darker winter months. The days seem so excruciatingly long and depressing! It seems like there’s more night than day sometimes.
I can feel my winter blues extending to my parenting. I am snippy with the kids. I have a shorter fuse for sure. Poor little people! I just want to be a happier mom during the winter!
The list I read contained the usual things like “get more sleep” and ” be grateful” but what struck me was this – “RECONNECT WITH YOUR HUSBAND.”
I never connected that with being a happy mom, but when you think about it, it’s so true!
When you don’t place high priority on your marriage, you don’t feel as connected to your husband, and you can get lost without a friend on this journey called parenting.
Being able to connect (and , let’s face it, commiserate) is so important.
So I’ve dubbed this year the YEAR OF DATING MY HUSBAND.
One date per month. It’s totally doable. No kids around. Or under my feet like this family photo. 😀
This commitment to date my husband is perfectly timed with Valentine’s Day!
Here’s the basic monthly list I plan to follow (12 months of date night ideas). We’ll probably substitute some date night ideas here and there as things come up, but this is what I’m starting with.
Who knows? Maybe by the time next winter rolls around, I won’t have this same issue with the winter blues.
I challenge you to do the same. Make a commitment to going out on one date per month.
Even if all you say to each other are things like “Man, that blowout poop the other night was something else, huh?” or just catch up on what’s going on in each other’s lives from the week before, you will be on your way to staying connected during the most hectic years of your marriage.
Improving your marriage can only be a good thing! 😀
~Lena
If you need extra inspiration, you should definitely download this collection of 175 date ideas for you and your husband to try (175 of them! you will NEVER run out). Some of them are so creative & romantic! You can get the full list here for less than the cost of a fast food meal!! >>
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Leah Courtney says
I think this is so important! My husband and I don’t make time for it as often now that the kids are older and on the run all the time. But we still try to make these date nights a priority!
Lena Gott says
Don’t tell me that, Leah! We were thinking we would have more time to go on dates as the kids got older. You’re telling me it’s still hard even then?! 😀