Sunday, August 18, 2013

6 Great Dates for Moms and Sons

Mother-son dates are a perfect way to get some serious bonding time with your little man. He'll bask in your undivided attention and you're sure to do the exact same in his. We've gathered six fun mother-son date ideas from creative moms just like you so the next time you find yourself alone with your favorite little guy, you'll know exactly how to spend that quality time! See what real moms — from best-selling authors to business owners to actresses — share for mother-son date ideas!

Read the full article by Golit Breen on allParenting blog here.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

5 Ways to Show Your Kids They Are Special

Good article on Raising Faithful Kids blog by Traci Little.  We are partial to #2 - Date your Kids.  Read the entire article here.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

5 Reasons to Date Your Kids

A very good post on The Sneaky Mama blog.

1.  Deep conversations happen during this time.
2.  It can head off or even solve behavior problems.
3.  It sets expectations for future relationships.
4.  It’s fun!
5.  You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression that actions speak louder than words?

See the whole post here.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

3 Easy Ways Ways To Show Your Kids They Aren’t 2nd

Article by Carlos Whittaker

Outlines thee ways to show your kids they aren't second:
  1. Hug, wrestle, touch, spoon and hold
  2. One date a week (of course this is our favorite one) and
  3. Don't steal their moment.
Some great advice.  See post here.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Our Mother Daughter Tea

A post on Living Out Loud by Lori

Nice article with pictures featuring Mother-Daughter dates.

Some pointers:
  • Schedule a date on the # day of their birthdays.  So if their child was born on the 15th of the month, the mom or dad will take the child out for a little date of sorts (coffee, a walk, a drive in the country, a movie, a meal etc.) on the 15th of each month.
  • We’ve also known families who like to schedule get aways with the whole family.  It serves to remove the worldly busy-ness that invades quality time.  It may not be one on one with the child but it’s momentous and memorable.
  • And we’ve also taken to random dates that are spontaneously planned. Hot chocolate at the local coffee shop is an all time favorite.  There’s something that makes our girls feel so grown up when they order a hot cocoa!

Read the full article here.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Share YOUR Date Stories

This blog is gaining traffic and thus the idea of dating your kids is spreading.  There is nothing like sharing your experiences to help show the value of these dates.  This whole website was started after the great experiences that I had with my "kids" (even though 3 are adults) in 2012 - see my blog here.

Use our "Share Your Date" form on this blog to share your story so that we can share.  Would love to hear your stories and experiences with your kids!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Momsense: Sibling rivalry must be genetic

An article posted on Florida Today by Sara Paulson Camodeca.

The article is about solving sibling rivalry and refers to the importance of dating your kids. 

Part of the article states:
"So it’s forced me to concoct what’s now one of my favorite pastimes: One-on-one time with each kid. Sometimes, it’s best to separate them. Simply for my own sanity.

My son and I sometimes go on a “dates” together. Sure, I’ll have sushi and he’ll have chicken nuggets with chopsticks, but he seems to like it. And my daughter and I will have a “girls day” every so often and hit the mall. Just the other night, we picked up a few things at Target, and I had her round up some Father’s Day cards for the men in our lives. We spent a lot of time laughing at the “Awkward Family Photos” variety."

Read the entire article here.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

How to Date your Kids (and why that’s so special)

An article on KeeperOfTheHome.org written by Katie

Some good advice on dating a baby and a toddler. 

The article includes many good pointers including these special time guidelines:
•    The child gets to choose any activity he/she wants, and (within safety and reason) the parent participates, even if “not in the mood”.

• Set the timer (we did 10 minutes, sometimes 15, at this age).

• The parent is not allowed to do anything but play during this time: no answering the phone, no folding laundry, no checking the to-do list or email.

• When the timer beeps, special time is over.

• Decide upon a way to “end” the time that can be a routine. For my son and me, we had a “Special Time hug and prayer”: “Thank you God for Mommy, Thank you God for Buddy Boy, Thank you God for Special Time. Amen.”

• Go your separate ways. You can come back to playing in 5 minutes, but try to do another task for a little while so Special Time is set apart from daily life.

• Special Time wasn’t in place of regular playing, and it didn’t mean that was the only time I spent one-on-one with my son at that age. It was just a time set apart.

Read the entire article here.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

What you love to do most when you have one-on-one time with your kids?

Recently (6/10/13) babycenter.com poste this question on one of their forums:
"What you love to do most when you have one-on-one time with your kids?"

They have gotten some great responses and ideas.  Some of them could be used for dates, some of them are good to do anytime, anywhere.

Some examples:
Walking a path around a park.
Playing a board game.
Singing and dancing together.

See all the answers here.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

When you eat, they eat

 

TangoTab is a great idea which could be incorporated into your dinner dates with your kids.  At this point, the site is available in limited areas, but it you are in one of the covered areas, you can go here to get a dinner discount AND help others - two great lessons for your kids.
 
Their mission statement is:
TangoTab feeds a person in need every time our diners redeem an offer at participating restaurants. When You eat They Eat!
 
As of this posting, the site states that there has already been 174,215 fed due to this program.  Check it out and sign up.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Birthday dinner dates with your kids

An article from familyshare.com contributed by Gary and Joy Lundberg

Celebrating your child’s birthday is a big deal. All children need to feel that their parents are happy beyond words that they were born. Everyday actions will prove that, but making their birthday worth remembering will seal the deal.

One way to make the birthday girl or boy feel loved is to take them on a one-on-one dinner date with Mom or Dad. The daughters go out with Dad, and the sons with Mom. Having one parent and one child going out together creates an atmosphere where the two can talk freely with no one else stealing the limelight or taking over the conversation.

The article then goes on to describe in detail the roles of Mom and Date for each Birthday date.

Read the complete article here.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Family Time: Dating Your Family

An article from Childhood101 submitted by Catherine Oehlman aka SquiggleMum

This article touches not only on the importance of one on one time with your kids but also alone time for your spouse and yourself also.

Regarding the Kid Dates - she writes:
"Miss 5 adores her Daddy-daughter dates.  Together they have enjoyed movies and ice cream and special times.  Mr 3 also loves his time with Dad, though it is less structured.  Whether it’s a trip to the hardware store, checking out boats, or just a run to the dump – they love their boytime!"

Read the entire article here.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Don’t Forget To Date Your Kids Too!

An article from BlackandMarriedWithKids.com submitted by Sheree Adams

A good story about her dates with her kids and the long lasting effect.  She sums it up with "I consider it such a blessing to be able to hang out with them and just connect during some alone time. It’s the small things that make the biggest differences."

Read the complete article here.

Dad, Start a New Habit, Like One-on-one Time

An article on Fathers.com contributed by Carey Casey

A great story about how a tradition started two decades ago is now being passed on to another generation. 

"To finish Gary’s story, his kids are now in their early thirties. His daughter is married and has two children of her own, and they still live nearby, so Gary still has a regular “lunch date” with her.
And that’s cool, but you know what’s even better? Gary’s daughter’s husband is doing it, too! Inspired by his father-in-law, he takes his 7-year-old daughter out to lunch on Saturdays."

Some other good advice:
Schedule the dates
Boys communicate "sideways" during activities
Get out of the house
Fit their schedule when needed
Make it special

The complete article can be found here.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Dating your kids: How we use one-on-one time to stay connected to our {five!} kids

An article from ScottsdaleMomsBlog submitted by Cate Johnson

"Time alone is imperative with our kids, especially if you have quiet kids like I do. They need space and time to share their hearts. Some of the most precious times have been on dates, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world."

See the complete original article here.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Dating your kids

An article on pressdemocrate.com submitted by The.Village

Some good advice:
Turn off all distractions, and ask them to do the same
Let your child take the reins on what you two will do
Keep the conversation flowing
Listen effectively

Read the complete article here.

Monday, June 3, 2013

10 Favorite Date Ideas from 88 Great Daddy-Daughter Dates by Rob & Joanna Teigen {book review}

An article from Life by Ashley Pichea contributed by AshleyPichea.

Some Dating Ideas:
Putt-Putt and Pictures
Bowling
We All Scream for Ice Cream
Bike Ride
Movie Night
Mad Libs
Have a Ball {take your daughter to a ball game}
Around the World in 80 Minutes {visit a local international cuisine restaurant}
What Do You Do All Day? {take your daughter to where you work}
20 Questions

Sunday, June 2, 2013

A Year of Valentines (with DIY scratch-offs)

An article from Come Together Kids

This is a great Valentine Day (or Birthday, or whatever the occasion) idea – DIY Scratch-off Coupons !

Some Dating Ideas:
Mommy reads a chapter book  at bedtime
Go roller-skating or ice-skating
Breakfast at a restaurant
Go to a museum
Go to an amusement park
Go for a long bike ride
Play mini-golf
Go on a hike
Go to the movies
Dessert at a restaurant
Have a craft night/game night
FREE CHOICE (they can pick that month's activity)

If you'd like to make your own, here's a blank printable version you can use!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

5 Tips for Setting Up Date Nights with Your Kids

An article from TLC's "parentables" part of their site contributed by Alexandra Martinez.

Some Dating Ideas:
Get dressed up for a fancy Dinner
Swimming at the YMCA
Girl talk at local coffeehouse

Some other good advice:
Make it just the two of you
Let your child choose the location
Listen More, talk less
Show your flaws
Stick to it

See the post here.

Friday, May 31, 2013

6 Ideas for Date Night with your Child

An article from SocialMoms.com contributed by Susan.

Some Dating Ideas:
Dinner and a Movie
Cooking class
Museum Trip
Book store excursion
Get active - walk, run, bike, play basketball
Make a memory - pottery, jewelry, hobby store

Some other good advice:
Choose an activity your child wants to do
Spend time communicating
Ask questions

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Dating Your Kids Helps Keep Sibling Rivalry in Check

An article from parentdish.com contributed by Amy Hatch

"It's no deep dark secret that siblings often compete for parental attention," she says. 'If each child knows they are going to get one-on-one time with a parent, then it is possible sibling rivalry for parental attention could decrease, and the offshoot of that would be a more positive sibling relationship." Renner adds that it's also beneficial for parents and kids to "see one another as individuals, apart from the family herd."

See the complete original post here.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

A Date With Dad

An article from Focus on the Family contributed by LynneThompson and Cheryl Gochnauer

Some Dating Ideas:
See the town
Dine out
Drink mocha
Get fit
Share a hobby
Play games
Shop
Take a risk

Some other good advice:
Do something different
Tie into a current activity
Dress down
Let your child run the radio
Don’t embarrass your child
Set a positive tone
Turn off the cell phone
Don’t interrupt your child
Enjoy yourselves

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Background

It was Christmas of 2011 and I was not sure what to get the kids for Christmas. As the older "kids" have gotten on with their life and the younger lad asks for more alone time, I decided to give each of the four kids 12 Dinners with Dad - one a month on their specific Thursday. Joe (age 28) on the first Thursday of the month, Sara (age 25) on the second, Brittany (age 22) on the third and Henry (age 9) on the fourth Thursday - subject to adjustment as needed of course.

This was one of the best decisions I ever made. As the year went on, I got much closer to all 4 of my kids and they got the one on one time that they love and I could tell they loved every minute of it. I documented our dinners here: http://dinnerswithdad2012.blogspot.com/ .

For 2013 we are doing a once a month Cooking with Dad where ALL the kids come over and ONE of the kids gets to drive the menu and help Dad put it together.  This is also turning out to be a fun event, but I must admit, I miss the one on one time.

Thus I thought it would be great to have a resource to encourage and make it easy and fun for parents to take their kids out to dinner and other "dates".  Thus here is the gathering of that information.  As this site grows, I am looking for ideas, sharing your stories, and ideally I would like to start working in some charity events to help families.

So jump in, read up, get involved, share your ideas and most importantly give you kids the one on one time they so desire and share your stories here!