Justify the cost
Hubby and I had our weekly date this evening and had a wonderful time. We went out and saw "Flight Plan". We had popcorn, hot dogs and soda. It was WONDERFUL. The movie was ok. The food was marginal. The company the best I've ever had.
On our drive home I was remembering to myself how long and hard we fought the whole idea of having a babysitter. We didn't want to entrust someone outside the family to the care of our son. Then when Baby Girl came along, we felt the same way, but were starting to miss each other a lot. As time went on, we missed each other more and more. We really wanted time to ourselves, but had trouble justifying the cost.
Justifying the cost. Yup. A sitter for two young kids both in diapers and needing a lot of attention, not to mention feeding and diaper changing... can be costly. Especially when you want someone who is educated beyond high school, who knows CPR, first aid, has had childcare experience and speaks fluent english. So a good solid fee of $15 an hour is expected.
Justify the cost. A date. A movie with snacks for two is about $40. Going to a book store and getting some fun reads is about $50. Going out for a nice dinner and drinks (not NIIIIIICe.. but palatable) is about $40- $70. Hmmm.. that's one to budget.
Justify the cost.... add up the cost of the sitter (average three hour stay) to the cost of "a date". It's at least $95 to go out and do something commonly thought of as a date. Now, this is what used to stop me from even thinking of hiring a sitter. How could I justify tossing around that kind of money? Couldn't we get by with the occasional family help? er, nope.
So now... justify the cost. $95 is a lot cheaper than: therapy, alienation from my husband, stress, anger, resentment, sadness. It's also a pretty small price to pay for harmony, happiness, a good alone time with Hubby to hold hands, snuggle in a movie, some laughs, and listening without having to filter out the kids.
I had to learn the slow way. But I gotta say. It may be hard sometimes to leave, and it is ALWAYS great to come back to happy kids jumping up and down happy at our return. That time away, and realizing the cost is so worth it is something I am grateful to have learned.