How to Organize a Date Night Co-op

William and I have been blessed by an almost weekly date night for the last 3 1/2 years! Prior to organizing our date night co-op, we maybe had two real dates (without kids) during Moses' first two years of life.

I get asked all the time how we organized our date night co-op so I thought I would share it here. I'm guessing some of you are desperate for a date!

First I should note that the date night co-op was William's brilliant idea. I think he got it from Mark Driscoll. So, there's the credit where it's due. Or whatever.

1. Find three other families with kiddos around the same age as yours. It doesn't hurt to have a couple slightly older kids in the mix for helpers. Make sure the total number of kids is a number you are comfortable watching just the two of you. (We have nine kids in our co-op.)
2. Decide on a date and time. We do date night on Fridays from 6:30 - 9:30. (Yes this is past all of the kids bedtimes. Alone time with your man is more important than schedules.)
3. Determine your rotation. If there are four families it works easily - Family #1 has childcare the first Friday of the month, Family #2 has childcare the second Friday of the month and so on. If there are five Fridays we skip the fifth one.
4. If a family will be out of town on their childcare week they are responsible for switching with another family. This way, no one has to really be "in charge". 

Four families = Three dates a month.

Here's an example of our schedule
First Friday of the month - We have childcare. All the kids come to our house.
Second Friday - We get a date. Couple #2 has childcare.
Third Friday - We get a date. Couple #3 has childcare.
Fourth Friday - We get a date. Couple #4 has childcare.
It's that simple! Happy date-night!

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