Happy Continue The Courtship Night all you married lovers out there!
When planning for date night, it's good you both understand some ground rules to ensure your time together is as productive toward building your eternal marriage as well as keeping it fun.
The National Healthy Marriage Institute (http://healthymarriage.org/homedates.htm, 2006,1) offers these rules:
1. NO FIGHTING
It is critical that you commit to making your dates, a conflict free time zone. The reason why you are going on the date is to strengthen your relationship and fighting will only damage it. As soon as you feel a conflict coming on take a time out, commit to discussing the issue at a specific time in the future and immediately start a trip down memory lane by sharing some of your favorite memories you have had together.
2. NO TALKING ABOUT PROBLEMS
There is plenty of time in the week to discuss problems. While you are on a date should never be one of those times. Dating is a time for having fun and strengthening your relationship.
3. HAVE FUN
Get out of your comfort zone so you can create memories that will last a life time.
That being said: if you are stuck at home because you have small children and/or on a tight budget, you could try this idea:
Make a blanket or quilt together. Find some old clothes, baby clothes, extra baby blankets, worn out sweats, jeans or shirts. Cut them into 6" squares and sew them together to make a patchwork quilt. It's fun and is great for starting a conversation.
Doesn't sound appealing to you guys? here's a tip: the #1 aphrodisiac for women is conversation - especially if you can make her laugh. Here's your chance.
Happy Dating!
