After having provided counseling and coaching for couples and parents over the years, I have seen couples actively rediscover the fun and friendship that brought them together in the first place. When couples remember how to bring playfulness into their relationship couples stay together more often. Play serves as a connection and bond in the relationship.
Being friends with your partner includes playing and enjoying leisure time together.
Here are 7 ways couples can bring play into the relationship helping couples stay together
1. Schedule weekly date nights. This is a block of time just for the two of you dedicated to each other and your relationship. During this time no talk about the kids, the bills or the house-hold chores is allowed. Take turns planning the dates and make it fun. You don’t need to spend much if any money. Pack a picnic and go star-gazing. Go for a walk along the river and grab a coffee. Be sure to focus on each other and what you appreciate about one another.
2. Rediscover the playground. When was the last time you got on the swings at the city playground? Or built a sand-castle? Or climbed a tree? Get reacquainted with the little kid you still have inside of you and allow yourself to run around together at the park.
3. Visit a comedy club together. Laughter is not only great medicine. It’s also a great way to bond.
4. Explore a new creative hobby together. Who cares if you don’t have a creative bone in your body? It can be great fun to learn together how to make pottery or paint with water colors. It’s not about outcome. It’s about the fun of learning together.
5. Take dance lessons. Never mind your two left feet. Learn to ballroom dance or take a hip-hop class together. Don’t take it too seriously – just have fun!
6. Get frisky in the bedroom. Be sure you’re working together to keep the fire lit and find ways for intimate time to be fun time.
7. Join in on your partner’s ideas of fun. Friends show interest in one another. Chances are that when you were courting your partner you demonstrated a lot of interest in his/her interests. Be sure to lean in and ask your partner to teach you or tell you all about their idea of fun activities and try to join in.
If having fun with your partner seems completely out of reach, you might benefit from going to couples counseling. A trained and licensed therapist can help you and your partner rekindle the connection and get your relationship back on a track of fun, friendship and joy.
I provide couples counseling via tele-health sessions for couples residing in the state of Georgia. Beginning in 2021 I will be conducting weekend intensives for couples in beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia. Couples will be encouraged to reserve a cabin in the area and schedule 2 3 full days of both assessment and couples therapy. Contact Lynn for more information or visit the couples counseling page here.