You know what’s better than parents date night out? Parents date night at home. I think we forget sometimes that having an opportunity to reconnect with our partners doesn’t require a lot, just the opportunity to focus on one another without distraction. Family time is wonderful! But setting aside time to check in with your significant other, not as a parent but as people can go a long way to making sure you maintain open lines of communication and reconnect with one another and yourself. One of the easiest ways? Classic at home date-night, just the two of you getting cozy on the couch with a movie and a meal. So call the grandparents, the family or the friends and ask them to keep the kids for a night while you spend a romantic evening in the comfort of your own home.

Setting the Tone

Yah you’re staying in but remember this is a time that’s supposed to be special, so try to avoid the natural habit of squeezing in a load of laundry or going over bills. Is a messy house distracting you? Pick everything up, throw it in the kids room, and deal with it tomorrow. That’s what tomorrow’s are for.

Any small thing you can do to create a different mood, don’t go overboard this isn’t supposed to be a labor intense night, a few candles or maybe dust off some old records. Changing the ambiance of a familiar setting actually does help your brain make new connections to the space. So a few things that stimulate your sense of smell, or changing the lighting will help set the tone.

Keep It Simple

To me quality time is the most romantic thing in the world. Maybe that’s just my love language, but some one-on-one time paired with a thoughtful gesture or two is just the absolute best. Figuring out how you and your partner take in love or affection is a powerful tool in your toolkit. Maybe you love a thoughtful gesture, so having your spouse cook or order dinner so you don’t have to might be just what you need. Maybe your partner is all about physical touch, so make a shoulder massage part of the evening.

Don’t worry about dressing up or doing anything too fancy; dinner, movie and cuddling on the couch is an age old tradition that you probably considered a pretty great date before having kids made you worry that you had to get out of the house and make the most of any free time. Just relax and enjoy a quiet home!

Easy Recipes for a Perfect Night

I’m one of those strange beasts where cooking actually relaxes me, but I have a problem with pacing so my family and guests can end up eating a bit later than they (or I) had expected. Here are some simple recipes if you want to make dinner for date night.

Cocktail

• Pumpkin apple shandy – as easy as pie. Half pumpkin ale and half apple cider makes for a light cocktail to start the night.
• Spiced pear gin fizz – not quite as simple as the shandy but it’s a smooth cocktail that you can enjoy with your sweetie while you watch the movie.

Snacks

• Flavored popcorn – a staple of the movie night, but with a bit of a kick. Add honey and some dark chocolate for something sweet or unsalted butter and chili powder for a bit more spice.
• Veggie skewers – this is so simple and light I love it. Just alternate slices of mozzarella with halved cherry tomatoes, sprinkle a bit of balsamic vinegar on top and voila!

Small Plates

• Bacon wrapped dates – throw in the over at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and you have one of the best treats.
• Radish Bites – This is simple and surprising. Slice up a baguette on each piece of bread put a swipe of butter, a very thinly sliced radish and a sprinkle of coarse salt. ((Chef’s Kiss!))