Does the thought of candlelight dinners and long walks under the moonlight give you more trepidation or heartache than pleasure? There are so many variables that come into play for solo parents, from coordinating baby sitters and carpools to dealing with resentful ex-spouses, that it’s easy to understand how the prospect of an evening out, particularly a romantic one, can become just another laborious chore.
One of the keys to turning your next dateinto a positive one is to take a lesson from your children and plan a play date. For single Moms and Dads, time spent doing something active, artsy, silly or downright messy is sure to lighten up the mood and alleviate a lot of the pressures associated with dating.
This latest trend in adult relationships is becoming popular in cities across the nation, with companies like PlayDate bringing singles together on a monthly basis to engage in hobbies or play games as throw-back as Connect Four, Hungry Hungry Hippos and Twister. There’s even a steady slew of new-to-market games such as Dating Topics to Go and Sexy Artistry to help couples break the ice during those nerve-racking encounters.
For single parents, play dates have an added advantage: "They can be an organized for adult-only entertainment or easily adapted if and when you are ready to bring kids along," says single Mom Kara, from New Jersey.
Though play dates can be a lot more fun and easier to organize, they still require thought and planning. So before you let the stress of "what to wear" and "where to go" get to you, consider these helpful tips:
1. Pick a "Me Time" that Works for You: Choose a time of day or evening, during the week or on a kid-free weekend that you will devote entirely to yourself. Interruptions are part of a parent’s life, but single moms and dads can still build some deserved fun-time into a busy schedule, whether you have a date or want to venture out solo.
2. Choose A Playful Activity: Think back to your youth and choose a sport or hobby you enjoyed as a child. With a myriad of local amusement parks, pottery studios and paintball facilities closer than you might think, choosing a game to suit your style should be quite easy. The point is to have fun, so choose something out of the ordinary, like go-carting or trapeze flying.
3. Find the Right Game Spot: Investigate your options before you make a commitment. You want to find a locale that has amenities to make the day memorable and takes the necessary safety precautions to avoid stressing out or scaring off newbie partners.
4. Play the Part: There’s nothing simpler than jeans if you are crafting, or more practical than casual workout wear when heading for a hike. You will look good and feel better about yourself if you make sure to dress the role. (p.s. : If you go to the park to shoot hoops on a date, maybe you should leave the high heels at home).
5. Go Out and Have Fun: Letting go of the responsibilities of the day requires patience and practice. So take a break from the routine and allow yourself to indulge in some light hearted activity. It will put a smile on your face and may put some of the romance back into your life.
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