If you are a parent, you probably know that it can be hard to find some quality one on one time together. Since we had Charlie in January, I don’t think Steve and I have had more than five minutes together without there being at least one or two children around! After lockdown, we decided to do more things together as a couple and I would love to get back to that. We went out alone for a meal just before Charlie was born and it was bliss – and I’d love to do that again.
Now I know the cost of living is getting us all down at the moment but I do believe we all deserve a bit of quality which is why I swear by Square Meal and the restaurant gift vouchers they offer. They offer vouchers to a number of different restaurants and you can earn points every time you eat out with them, unlocking specific rewards. If I am going out to eat, I love to be rewarded for future meals out – the more I can save, the better. Their vouchers can be redeemed in over 200 top restaurants and bars. These include some fantastic Michelin star restaurants and also some cosy independent eateries so you are bound to find something you enjoy.
The nearest Square Meal restaurants to me are in London which, for some, may be too far away. But I am less than an hour away from London, even by the slow train, so a trip into London for a meal alone with my partner is more than feasible for me! I’d be more than happy to use a Square Meal voucher to enjoy a meal alone with him in the capital – and I’m actually tempted to ask for them, come Christmas and my birthday. They make a great gift and I can already think of some people I would like to gift them to, let alone anyone gifting them to me!
Photo by Ariv Kurniawan on Unsplash
A meal in London will obviously take out a substantial amount of time out of my day or evening and I will need babysitters for my rabble – whilst Jack is thirteen, he isn’t quite old enough to take on all of the younger three! I’ve also been thinking about some activities we could do closer to home, just the two of us – such as a trip to the cinema or even a trip to a nearby shopping mall, just to look around (maybe not even buy anything either!). The activities we do don’t have to be anything special, just getting some time alone together would be special enough!
Spending time together as parents for any of us with children is never easy. However it is so important that we prioritise spending time alone or spending time with our partners alone for our mental health among other things. It can require a little planning and working out of the logistics but getting to enjoy a meal with someone without kids wittering in your ear is something everyone deserves once in a while! Why not give the gift of a Square Meal voucher to someone that you know needs some time away from being a parent and let them indulge themselves for an evening?