How often should parents go on a date night?

Once a month is a good target. Research from the Marriage Foundation found that monthly date nights are associated with 14% lower odds of a relationship breaking down. Interestingly, weekly date nights showed no additional benefit - so once a month, done properly, is genuinely enough.

What can parents do for a date night at home?

Cooking something ambitious together, doing a blind wine or gin tasting, running a themed film night, or playing a couples' card or board game are all solid options. The key is treating it like an actual event rather than just another evening in - phones away, dinner on the table, something you've both put a bit of thought into.

What are the cheapest date night ideas for UK parents?

Stargazing in the garden, walking somewhere new with a flask, cooking a meal from a cuisine you both love, or revisiting somewhere meaningful are all free. Early-bird set menus and cinema trips on cheaper weekdays are the best low-cost out-of-the-house options.

How do I find a babysitter for date night?

Word of mouth is still common, but if you don't have an existing network, an app like Bubble lets you browse vetted, reviewed sitters in your local area. All sitters on Bubble have passed ID checks, background checks and reference checks. You can read reviews from other parents, look for mutual connections, and message directly before confirming.

Do date nights actually help relationships?

The research suggests yes. The Marriage Foundation analysed data from nearly 10,000 couples with young children and found that those who went on monthly date nights had meaningfully lower odds of their relationship breaking down. The quality of the time matters more than what you spend or where you go.