When you’re young and in love, you expect Valentine’s Day to include huge bouquets of flowers, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, romantic candlelit dinners and intimate getaways, but once you’re a parent with young kids at home, those can be much harder to pull off. The thing is, as much fun as those grand gestures are, you don’t need them to show your partner how much you care about them.
The holiday is all about love and creating meaningful moments together, which can be tough when you’re both busy and on a budget. But relationship coach Sophie Orozco points out that when connection is the goal, there are plenty of ways to make that happen together. She suggests these low-pressure, affordable date ideas for Valentine’s Day that won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing out on anything.
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- Take a walk together – A little fresh air and movement can be romantic and give you the chance to have a real, grown-up conversation without a dozen interruptions.
- Revisit an early memory – Recreate a moment from the early days of your relationship, like going to a favorite coffee shop or cooking a meal you enjoyed when you first started dating. Orozco notes that shared memories naturally reignite closeness, which is exactly what you’re going for here.
- Spend parallel time together – This one is easy, just read, journal, or relax in the same space.
- Share a short handwritten note – Express your appreciation for each other, even if it’s only a paragraph. Writing down your thoughts and feelings takes the pressure off and doesn’t require an immediate response.
- Have a mini dessert or coffee date – But there’s one rule: no fixing or planning. Just enjoy being together without going over your to-do list or problem-solving. And try not to spend the whole time talking about the kids!
Source: Cafe Mom
