How To Focus On Your Marriage While Raising Little Ones

Have you ever been on a date with your hubby at Sam’s Club? Yes, getting out to leisurely walk the aisles at a big box store is a date. How do I know this? Because when my husband and I were there and we bumped into another couple doing the same thing. We weren’t the only ones who considered shopping as a date night. Sometimes it’s about whatever you can do to focus on your marriage.

Taking time together when and where you can, especially when raising young ones, requires creativity and making the most of what your community has to offer. Here are few ideas to keep the spark alive.

Daily Tips & Ideas

• Go with your hubby to a hardware store. You may be bored, but he’ll love that you’re taking an interest.
• Leave notes around the house. You can leave a handwritten card in a drawer or place a sticky note on the bathroom mirror. Something as simple as writing “I love you,” goes a long way.
• Do a project together. It could be painting a room a new color or assembling a jigsaw puzzle.
• Pick a recipe from a cookbook you both like and cook together. It’s better than takeout and the result is mutually accomplished and rewarding.
• Celebrate your spouse’s birthday and special occasions. The busyness of life can sometimes get in the way of even enjoying these events. Take time to make each other a priority. Ask your spouse for the top three things they would like to do on their special day and in surprise fashion, fulfill one request. If going out to eat is one of the birthday wishes, check out a list of restaurants offering free birthday meals here:

One On One Time to Focus on Your Marriage

For the following ideas, ask a babysitter or family member to watch your little ones so you can get away, even if it is only for a few hours.

• Check out Groupon events in your local area. Sign up to get Groupon emails and receive special deals to help with your budget. Find the Things To Do section and choose something you would both enjoy doing. It could be anything from visiting an Escape Room to kayaking or skydiving.
• Visit the manatees, enjoy a canoe escape on the Hillsborough River, or simply walk on the Tampa Riverwalk hand in hand. Special times away can feel like a mini-vacation. Check out more details here 
• Pick a local park, pack a lunch, and have a picnic. A change in setting might just be what you need to reset and refocus.
• Review the local Tampa Bay happenings for seasonal events. Go over the list and pick out an event perfect for the two of you. For example, the Spotlight offers links for Tampa Bay Foodies and Tampa Bay Fun Boat.
• Live in Clearwater/St. Petersburg? Check out ideas from snorkeling at Egmont Key to exploring the Pinellas Trail with this list of things to do.

 Time Together With Family

Getting out together as a family can be refreshing and your little ones will be out like a light by early evening. Here are a few family outings to choose from:

• Tampa Bay CityPass saves you up to 50% on admission to Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
• Pinellas County Library Card offers free admission to local museums. First come, first serve basis.
• For more family-friendly ideas, check out 75 free things to do around Tampa Bay. Number 30 on the list shares a great 2 for 1 rock climbing deal and number 38 offers free Monday admission to the Ringling Museum.
• From the city of Tampa offering Movies In The Park to the Dali Museum’s Movies on the Patio, and Flicks and Food Trucks this list offers great ways for the kids to enjoy the outdoor movie while you two hold hands.

Whatever you choose to do, be sure to enjoy time together and focus on your marriage. Check out Karimah’s post about 25 Daytime Date Ideas too! If you have a unique tip not offered in this roundup, please comment below.