What Is Micro Dating? The Relationship Trend All Parents Should Try

Most couples know that quality time is important to keep the relationship healthy. The solution? Date night: spending an evening together away from the children and responsibilities. Whether it’s once a week or every other month, doing something special together can help regain the spontaneity and keep the flame of romance burning.

Makes sense? Raising children is hard work. And for couples who work at it every day, it’s easy to lose themselves and each other in a routine of diapers, naps, daycare, feeding, and bathing. We’re all exhausted and stressed by a cycle of sleepless nights and increased commitments.

It’s no wonder your relationship suffers. It’s almost inevitable. The Date Night solution seems great on paper, but it’s easier said than done. Once kids come into the picture, who has the time, energy, or money to go out to dinner together once a week? Or to that concert you’ve been hearing about?

ALSO READ: Is He The One? Not If He Does These 25 Things

Fatigue, costs and no ideas

A survey of 1,000 parents found that almost half of them cited fatigue as a reason why they found it difficult to have a regular date night . Then there are the costs, which are mentioned by 41% of parents. Restaurants cost money and a babysitter is often not free, unless grandparents can help.

Combine this with the fact that 40% of parents struggle to come up with new date ideas , and date night becomes a burden instead of a joy. Especially when planning quality time brings more worry and stress than date night could possibly relieve. So what’s the solution? It could be micro-dating, a “new” way for couples to share everyday moments.

ALSO READ: One-Sided Relationship? 22 Signs It’s Coming from One Side

Wat is micro-dating?

Although you might initially think of an extreme form of speed dating , in this case, micro-dating means something different. It is a dating term that has appeared in the media in the past year as an alternative to the traditional date night. Micro-dating is a method to maintain intimacy and romance for people in a relationship who do not have time for a full date night.

The concept of micro-dating boils down to recognizing and appreciating the small moments that already exist in your relationship, and looking for opportunities to create more of them. Even when time is scarce, there are moments you can seize for a snippet of quality time: a hand on the back, a kiss on the cheek, or an inside joke . Small moments that add up to a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The idea behind it is that it is much easier to free up five minutes here and there for each other, than three hours straight for something that neither of you really feel like doing. Micro-dating helps you show more affection : unplanned and without stress. In that sense, micro-dating is a practice of showing appreciation to each other and a good way to remember that you are not only parents, but also lovers .

ALSO READ: 35 Playful Dates to Keep Your Relationship Alive

Micro dating examples

Once you are aware of all these moments that you usually miss, it will be easier for you to recognize these moments and take action. That’s when you take micro-dating to the next level, by expanding it with extra moments: the mini-dates. It takes little time, no money and it is not difficult to come up with something. To help you get started, these are 10 examples of micro dating:

1. Start your day with a hug instead of rushing to the bathroom.
2. Eat breakfast together without the smartphones.
3. Call each other during your lunch break.
4. Play a card game when the kids are in bed.
5. Don’t always cook separately, do it together sometimes.
6. Take a bath together instead of a quick shower.
7. During dinner, talk about your day.
8. Send a WhatsApp audio message during the day.
9. Play a question game with personal questions.
10. Take an hour off work early to go for a walk together.

P.S. Are you already following Gistinger.com on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter?