Having a weekend without your children is good for all the family. Consider it a form of self-care that will make you a better parent and build confidence in the children. It is also a chance to focus on your relationship with your spouse or partner to rekindle your connection without having even basic conversations hindered by the demands of toddlers or teens.
With concerns about the children out of the way, what will you do on the weekend? You could spend the night on the town at a glamorous resort or enjoy some fun online at casumo where you can stay in the comfort of your own home with your favourite food and drinks. Make choices based on your interest and plan something in advance so you stay focused.
Plan ahead
Some forward planning about what you would both like to do will give you both a sense of excited anticipation for the weekend coming. If you can, take a break from home so that you are not distracted by the piles of ironing or time-consuming DIY jobs. Instead, choose a boutique hotel instead of the family room you usually book for a break and focus solely on each other.
Although a weekend is a short time, plan as if this is a vacation for a couple. Not only will you pack differently, but you can also decide if you want to lounge on a beach or take in museums, art galleries or other sights that are of no interest to your children at this time.
Party
As a parent on a weekend without children, it is good to be reminded that a party is not just defined as an event that needs cake, balloons and goodie bags. Search out tickets for your favourite band or singer and book somewhere local to crash out afterwards. You could relive your first date or where you met by dancing at a nightclub, a charity event or plan your weekend around attending a friend’s wedding reception in the evening.
Turn off social media
Spend time with each other and talk about your hopes for the future, the challenges you want to overcome, the things you want to learn and what you want your life to look like a year from now. Do not access your social media accounts. You will be amazed at the amount of time you save. Do not talk about office politics or gossip at your workplace. Agree to talk about finances at another time if that is an issue. Focus on keeping your weekend positive.
Spa date
Book into an adult-only hotel that offers a couple’s spa where you can have a massage together, enjoy time in a sauna and sip prosecco by the pool. There may be a golf course for you to enjoy or take a walk in the countryside or enjoy a walk along the beach with the sand between your toes for a gentle pedicure.
Commit to a new ritual
Without putting yourself under any pressure whilst away, consider what ritual you would like to commit to when you are back home that will help you maintain a stronger connection than before your trip. It is likely that with the conversations you have, an idea will arise organically. You could agree to have a focused conversation about your lives for 20 minutes each week which do not involve the children but allow you to share all that is good, things that you want to clarify and things that you want in your life.
Remember…
You deserve some proper time to recharge and relax, a break from the family life routine and some time to reconnect as a couple. Children grow up and leave home, so it is important to give your relationship the love and attention it deserves.
