Balancing marriage and family can be challenging as we juggle work, school and whatever else we have on our plates.  As with any balancing act, finding an equilibrium between marriage and family requires time, effort and a little creativity.  Following is the first in a four-part series offering ways to help create that balance.

Have Regular Date Nights

When you have children, your focus naturally gravitates toward their wants and needs.  It’s easy to forget that the foundation of your family is you, the couple.  Setting aside time to be alone as a couple – at the very least, once a month – is not only crucial to the well-being of your marriage, but it is also important to the health of your family as a unit.  Couple time allows you to nurture your relationship, which in turn helps build a stronger foundation for your family.

If you can’t get a babysitter for date nights, don’t cancel – get creative!  My husband and I had planned on going out to dinner for our anniversary, but we couldn’t find a sitter.  Instead of canceling or postponing, we decided to bring the restaurant to us.  After the kids went to sleep, my husband picked up dinner from our favorite restaurant while I transformed our family room into a romantic hideaway…complete with candles and a table set for two.  It turned out to be a fabulous date night.

Make Time to Connect on a Daily Basis

While date nights provide a great opportunity for bonding, couples need more than a monthly date to keep the lines of communication open.  You need to carve out some time on a daily basis to connect with your spouse.  Set the alarm clock for an hour or so before the kids wake up and enjoy some couple time over a cup of coffee.  Or, make sure the kids go to bed at a reasonable hour every night and spend an hour or so focusing on each other.

Connecting doesn’t necessarily mean just talking.  Take turns giving each other a massage while watching a movie.  Dust off the old game board and challenge each other to a game of Scrabble.  Snuggle up on the couch and read the paper together.  The point is to dedicate an hour or so each day to spending time with your spouse.

Take Overnight Trips Together

A night free from bedtime struggles, actually sleeping through the night, lingering in bed the next morning…sound good?  If you can swing it, take an occasional overnight trip with your spouse.  Yes, you will miss the kids, but a little time apart can be a good thing.  An overnight trip will recharge your batteries and help you form a stronger bond with your spouse, making for a happier and healthier family unit.