[Sabra]

Hello:

It is great to get out with your spouse or honey. Very fun even if all you do is go out for a walk!!!

When our oldest was 12 we started to pay her a small amout for Babysitting our youngest daughter so that we could go out on a date or to a party or whatever came up.

We had a system that worked really well for us. We told our oldest that if she wanted to be sure that she would get paid she had to make sure that her younger sister that she was babysitting had a good time. (Not a whooping party good time. Just a good time in the interpretation of her younger sister LOL.)

So we would always ask our youngest daughter (without the oldest one seeing) if she had a good time and if sister was nice. And if she said yes sister was nice. The the oldest one got paid!! And it worked. They really did get along and we had a babysitter whenever we needed one. Until others started to hire her LOL.

Does anyone else have any tips on how to get out with your spouse or honey?

Thanks.

[nancynic]

Hi,

I agree about the importance of 'going out' with your partner and friends! It is rejuvenating to have some time away from the kids and it is good role modeling for your kids to see that you and your partner enjoy eachother's company and take some 'adult time' for yourselves. It shows your self-esteem and it restores your energy for parenting.

Looking back on my years when my kids were at home with me, I can see that I should have paid more attention to this aspect of my relationship with my husband ...

What are your thoughts? How have you managed to take time with your partner? If you don't do this, would you like to?

NancyNic

[Judilyn]

Yes I agree, and I am guilty of NOT doing it enough. I love my hubby soooo much and I enjoy spending one on one time with him. Just a quiet meal away together once in a while does great things for our relationship. We are blessed to have a teen now that can watch our youngest for us when we can catch her at home. Sometimes I have to put my foot down and just tell her, not ask her, that she is needed to help out.

Judilyn

[nancynic]

Hi Judilyn,

It's difficult keeping teens at home! But, taking care of younger siblings is a way for your teen to know how important he/she is as part of your family ... caring for younger brothers and sisters as well as parents!

Hope you are able to get that one-on-one time ... let us know!

NancyNic

[Sabra]

Hi Nancy;

Your post made me think of a question.

When you mentioned above that it is hard to keep teens at home I thought to myself "Does anyone have any ideas for keeping their teens at home a bit more?"

Nancy or anyone else have you found ways to assist our teens in toning down their schedules a bit so that they will be home more with us?

. I tell my teen it is family time and she stays with us. Also preparing one of her favorite meals sure doesn't hurt any. Does anyone else have ideas that they have tried?

We do things like rent a good movie that she likes or have her friends to our house. What other ideas work? It would be great to hear from as many moms (or dads) as possible!!!

Thanks!!!!!