This post is sponsored by Cupcake Vineyards. All opinions are my own.
These days, quality time isn’t all that easy to come by. Young kids and demanding schedules can make quality time even more scarce. In this blog post, I want to share three ways I regularly create quality time with my husband, Josh, in between the busy times.
Create a routine that gives you time
I get it. Everyone’s schedules are different and it can sometimes seem as though the longer you’re together, the more you both just understand “how it is.”
What I think a lot of us forget is that we have a lot more power to work quality time into our routines than we think!
One of the ways we do this is by aligning both our hobbies and several things in our daily routine. For instance, in the mornings, Josh and I like to do 20 minutes of yoga. The kids usually play around us or try to join in. We also like to have home workouts together in the afternoons and evenings. We also love cooking dinner together while the kids play.
It might sound too good to be true, but finding quality time doing things together during the day is possible and it’s a great way to get extra time together!
Don’t wait until the perfect time to have a date
Dating your significant other can sometimes feel like either just watching movies at home or scheduling a babysitter and planning your outfit two weeks in advance. On the one hand, we can feel stuck and without options, so we resort to doing what we always do and is easy. On the other hand, we sometimes feel like dates need to be a long-anticipated event.
I’d like to think that we can have a lot more fun, quality time with our significant other if we’re able to meet somewhere in the middle. Yes, it might take some effort, but creating a time when you and your significant other are able to have a conversation together or do something you enjoy can be all you need to “go on a date.”
This might even mean your date involves a running errands together or even bringing the kids along. Some of the best dates Josh and I have on a regular basis involve going on a walk with the kids. While they’re picking up sticks and flowers on the path ahead, he and I are actually having a conversation together.
Sure, we might not be dressed up or alone, but we’re maintaining our friendship and enjoying each other just the same. Quality time isn’t always perfect. It can sometimes be spontaneous, temporarily interrupted, or even multitasked. But as long as both you and your significant other are putting in the effort, your relationship will continue to grow.
Here are a few ideas you can use for an impromptu date:
- A trip to run errands that ends (or starts) with a tasty treat.
- A trip to the park so you and the hubs can chat while the kids play.
- A drive-in theater where a little chatter from the kids is a-ok
- A walk on a new trail
- A family picnic
- Even kids love a coffee shop date (that is, if they involve cake pops).
Just because a date is impromptu, doesn’t mean it’s not special. I like to have a few things on hand, just to make my time with Josh a little bit more fun and romantic. I always keep Cupcake Vineyards Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc in the fridge and ready to go when we get a chance at a little quality time together. They never fail to brighten up an evening together and really give it that something “extra”!
Whether we’re sipping on the Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc, each flavor is super refreshing. I love the hints of watermelon, strawberry and white nectarine in the Rosé. I also really enjoy the flavors of white nectarine, and key lime with subtle hints of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus, in the Sauvignon Blanc! Overall, Cupcake Vineyards wines always give us a sense that we’re celebrating something, even if it’s just celebrating a few moments together. Really – try some for yourself!
Sometimes, it’s ok to ask the kids to wait
A lot of moms are like this. I’m like this – I can tend to put the kids first.
Being self-sacrificial isn’t a bad thing, but it can sometimes come at a cost to the other things that are really important in your life like your friendships, tasks on your to-do list, self-care.
It was up until a few months ago that I found myself putting the kids first a lot when Josh and I were talking. Now, don’t get me wrong. The kids were completely safe, fed, clothed, and behaving within expectations 😂. Josh and I are actually pretty good at taking time to answer the kids’ questions, listening to their stories, and using teachable moments. But I realized that there are many times when, instead of answering them when they interrupt our conversation, I can simply ask them to wait.
This does two things:
1). It allows Josh and I to actually have conversations together during the day rather than just in the evening when the kids go to bed and we’re already zapped of most of our energy. And 2). It shows the kids that mommy and daddy are priorities to each other and that they’re not the only humans in the world that need attention.
So, to work with the kids in this area, Josh and I have asked them to put their hand on us when they need something or simply say, “Excuse me…” and then wait. When Josh and I get to a good place to pause our conversation, we answer the kids or get them what they need. Overall, I’d say we have a pretty good system down.
Overall, I believe that we have a lot more power over the quality time we create with others than we think. We have the ability to make time for the special people in our lives and turn those movie nights into something truly special.
If you’ve never explored Cupcake Vineyards cans before, give it a try! I love the convenience of a grab-and-go wine to bring on our dates and they pair perfectly with warm summer nights and good times! Try Cupcake Vineyard’s cans for yourself!
