There are so many date night dos and don’ts — here’s our relationship advice to help you make the most of a night out with your partner.
- Put your phone away
Checking emails and messages is rude, and it’s guaranteed to irritate the person you’re with. Plus, you’re there to reconnect with your other half, not watch cat videos and see what your friends are up to. - Don’t talk about the kids
It might be tempting, but your date night is about YOU and YOUR relationship. So try your best to focus on the person in front of you, not on your son’s tendency to avoid his maths homework! - Touch each other more
Some of the best relationship advice there is, is to make an effort to touch more. We’re not talking anything that will make the diners next to you uncomfortable, just holding hands and kissing will help you reconnect emotionally and physically. - Give yourself time
Set the entire night aside. You don’t want to feel rushed, or arrive home in time to do the dishes. - Avoid places advertised as ‘child friendly’
It’s your night away from the kids and other household responsibilities — do you really want to be surrounded by balloons and a 12-year-old’s birthday party? - No crying over spilt milk
Don’t bring up ongoing disagreements — it’s bound to cause an argument and ruin your evening. - Add some variety
Make it a rule to never visit the same place twice in a row, to keep things interesting. And you don’t have to stick to dinner dates — think night markets, theatre or music shows or even a cooking class. - No money, no problem
Running low on cash is no excuse to call off a date night — a homemade dinner or a moonlit picnic in the garden are just as romantic as a trip to a restaurant. - Do something fun for BOTH of you
You’re dying to see the latest rom-com, while he’s more interested in giant robots, so our relationship advice to you is ‘don’t pick either’. Go for the middle ground instead. - Plan ahead
The earlier you organise date night, the easier it is to stick to it — so make it a weekly or monthly event on your calendar and there’ll be no backing out!
Looking for more relationship advice? We’ve got loads in our sex & relationships section.