Shaes Chronicles

Sometimes as parents we get so wrapped up in everyday activities related to home or work that we forget about the time that we should be spending with out little ones. There were days with my own children where they would want to participate in the things I was doing…but of coarse I was too busy or thought that they would slow me down. One day, I was watching television with my son and the show that we were watching was talking about people going on dates. My son found this exciting and asked if we could go on a date. I thought that this was the cutest thing in the world so I agreed. It’s a great way to spend time with my child alone. So we found things to do to go out together and have fun.

I discovered that my son loved the idea of being with me and not having to be interrupted by my telephone, or the computer, or his baby brother (or father). My child was in preschool when we first started our “dates” and he was always excited to tell everyone “I am on a date with my mommy”. I guess it made him feel a little more grown up and extra special because it was all about him and I being together. People eventually started asking me how I came up with this idea and even started doing it with their own children, and from what I understand it has been pretty successful. So, I wrote a guide at preschool for the other parents (the school’s principal thought that it would be a great handout for parents) giving them general ideas of how to start “dating” their preschooler.

Places To Go 

With my child, we usually went to places that involved the mall’s game room, but really the ideas are limitless especially if you have a kid who is into a lot of different things.

There aren’t too many preschoolers that do not get excited over the Golden Arches…so of course a good date meal could be at the local McDonalds. Preferably the one’s that have the fun room so that they can play a little. These days it’s not so unhealthy to go to McD’s because of the new variety of healthy options to choose from.

Depending on how hungry the two of you are, there is always a sit down establishment like Denny’s or IHop (great for morning dates so they can have the yummy pancakes). I found that when my son and I came to these places alone, he didn’t seem to want to play with everything on the table or stand to stare at everyone else…he was a very big boy at the table.

Sometimes if we didn’t go to eat, we just found something fun to do for a little while. Make sure that as parents you agree to do something (within reason) that they want to do, otherwise your date is going to go south real fast.

If there is a local game room or arcade and your child loves to play, then this is going to be the spot to visit. Don’t spend too much…set a limit, this way they know to play the things that they want to play the most and you’ll avoid tears when leaving.

If the weather permits, there is always the local park. Be prepared to bring hand cleaning wipes and bottled water (mostly for you!). Get involved with your kid too; don’t just sit down while your child is running around. Bring a ball or some toys that way the two of you can interact together. Even better, plan a whole picnic and take it with you.

If there is a good children’s movie out, then why not go to a matinee (with today’s prices I personally avoid night shows). Share a big bag of popcorn and some drinks and enjoy a good movie together.

You can also do things to make your date an educational one as well by going to your local museum or zoo.

By going on dates with your child, you are showing them that they are important to you and that you want to spend time with them. This time can be used very wisely by talking about how they feel, what they like and dislike, and overall getting the opportunity to get to know them. When there are other kids in the home this type of activity is hard to have time to do…but try. They need to know that they are still just as special and important despite everything else that goes on. I have gone on dates with my oldest son since he was three and now at age seven, we still make time to go out. These days it is much more difficult because I have two younger boys at home too, but my middle child is now 3 and we have begun to go on dates too. On occasion I will take the two of them out and have someone watch my infant son (7 months) so that we go on a date together without the interruption of diapers and bottles. Even more special, I have started the activity to include the baby on very rare occasions to take all three of them out, that way the baby grows up into an environment of know that they all get special “dates” with mommy.

Who said dates were just for grown ups anyway? Have Fun!

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