We're a working class couple with two kids and a third every other weekend. We've tried to have date night before but due to lack of money, lack of baby-sitters and being just plain lazy, it always disintegrated into watching X-Files re-runs and going to bed early. We tried looking online for ideas but either came up blank or found the same tired cliches (how many Italian meals do these web sites think we can eat?). So here we are; tired, lonely, bored and frustrated. First step, re-committing to setting aside a few hours on a designated night just for ourselves. Second step, find something to do together, with a few rules thrown in. Third step, remember that this is not just about something to do, it's a gift of time to our partner. We thought we'd track what works for us, what doesn't work for us and share what we learn about being parents, having jobs, having no money and still finding time for each-other. After all, we got married because we're madly in love and like being together.



Mid-Week check in.

So it's the middle of the week and it's his turn to pick something for Date Night. With work, kids, house up-keep and the rest of the day-to-day how will our intrepid carpenter find time to decide on something to do, not to mention get it ready? Time's running out and he still has no ideas. Well, almost no ideas.
Anytime you find yourself with a free moment is a good time to ponder possibilities. Traffic, while taking shower and doing dishes are all great times. No, not every second of mundane time need be re-assigned to Date Night. If you can sacrifice a few minutes of giving out the beltway salute on your daily commute or skip the third encore of singing into your loofah in the shower, you can find time.

So, our hero may not seem to have a plan as grand or as involved as henna tattoos but he has a few back-up plans just in case inspiration doesn't find him. Simple things yes, but they follow the Rules. Remember, it's about being together, at home, for free or really cheap.
Here are a few ideas for you if get stuck and time runs out.

-Reading-
No, not two people-two books. Find a book and read to each other. A short book that you can get through in a night would be good but a medium or long book could be a standard back-up plan. Take turns reading chapters to each other, employ different voices for characters, add sound effects, or dive in hard and try to set the scene in your reading area. Warning; This is not an excuse to not come up with something to do. Make sure not to fall into the trap of reading if nothing else comes up. This would be the same thing as watching TV. This is for emergencies only. Unless the two of you love the book and agree to keep reading until done.

-Learn to juggle-
No, really. Anyone can learn. No, really. Learning something together is fun, always worthwhile and learning to juggle together might be the funniest thing you've ever done. No need to be fancy. Just get 3 balls and look online for some quick instructions (no balls? Roll up some socks). I promise that if you spend an hour really trying, you'll be able to do it. Then once you get the basic move down, if you want, there's a plethora of tricks and fancy moves to learn. Again, this can be a one time night or something you can do several times a month.

-Music-
He plays bass and she plays guitar. We're lucky enough to already have instruments but you can get basic stuff for a really small investment. Tin whistles (or penny whistles) are pretty cheap at local music stores and you can get them with a "how to" book. Recorders too. Again, no need to go fancy, just get something to play around on. If you both love it, you can invest in something better later. Alright, I hear some of you saying that you have no music store near you or, as in our case, no money for even the crappiest instruments. Make some. Two toilet paper rolls, two rubber bands and some wax paper make two kazoos. Turn on your Date Night playlist and jam along. Go wild, no one can see you and it's not like you don't already do Steve Perry in the shower anyway.
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