Today I am joining in for "Mama's Tell All" with
That Southern Mama. The topic is
Dating My Daughter/Son.
I always thought the idea of going on dates with your kids was weird, but then several years ago I was talking with a teen girl that babysat for us, and she explained how special the dates with her dad were. She said he likes to demonstrate how she should be treated by a man (i.e. respect, dignity, kindness, manners, etc.). I really liked that idea. So call it whatever you want, but I believe special one on one time with our children is critical.
Keep in mind this does not have to be anything extravagant. We are in a difficult place right now with J being in school full time and tight budget doesn't even begin to cover it. Even then I have managed to go out with Z a couple times a year and I can't say enough about what it has meant to both of us!
We didn't start this tradition until 2 years ago when he was in Kindergarten. Our first date was the
Chic-Fil-A mother son date knight and I highly recommend registering for one of these events if you can find one in your area.
I have more information about that
HERE.
Then last year we went to the
Mother Son Game Night at Z's school, and it was an evening I will never ever forget.
We both dressed up in Western wear
and we played and competed as a team all night long.
It was so special!
This year we participated in another Mother Son Date Knight at a different Chic-Fil-A and there were so many fun activities and freebies including the opportunity to take an oath of honor and be knighted by the royal cow.
Z voluntarily wanted to wear his bow tie and blazer that night. He was the best dressed kid there and several people dining or serving were sure to let him know about it.
Then back to the school for our next mother son time which was the Mother's Day Tea that I attended last Friday.
Can you tell we have a thing for matching? I do realize he will grow out of this, but for now I'll take it! Z served me my refreshments and as we chatted he gave me some crafts that he made and a book he wrote for me which was especially sweet!
Here is what I have learned so far with the few dates that I have gone on with my son.
1. Of course you can come up with something personal for your night out, but in our case it has worked out to
do events that are already planned and prepared. All we had to do was show up.
2. We are big Dave Ramsey Jr. people and so these outings are a great opportunity for kids to
learn how to be generous and responsible with their money.
The Chic-Fil-A meals were all paid for with money that Z earned himself. Although, (just to keep it real) last time we went out I owed him some cash for the past 2 weeks. So I let him buy our meal with my debit card, but we had a big conversation about why a debit card is different than a credit card and that money would come straight out of his chore money. It worried me just how much he loved handling the Visa.
3. Of course you can start date nights at any age! For me it has just happened to work out to
start scheduling dates very intentionally at school age. As a stay at home mom, this worked out perfect because until Z was in school I was with him all the time and got to do special activities on a more regular basis anyway.
4. Lastly, I have learned that
these times of connection where you have the opportunity to really focus your undivided attention on your child as an individual is priceless! I can't wait for the next mother son date with Z.
