Hot Dog Night

When my children were young and funds were low and craziness was high and hubby and I needed some adult time, I started a family favorite and called it—you guessed it—Hot Dog Night. If you’re a mom and you’ve found yourself saying, “Mine, mine, mine” or “Are we there yet?” and you’re humming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star all day, you may be in need of some adult time with hubby.

Let’s face it, life can get pretty crazy when you’re raising little ones.

I’m reminded of a visit to my daughter’s house to coddle my then new grand baby. As I held the perfect little gem in my arms, “Oh, I love this. My life is great!”

My daughter was opening the blinds and quickly stopped. She gave me the death stare. You know the one, the one that says I will punch you in your face if you say another word. Yeah, that one.

After a long stare, Monica started talking, “I haven’t showered in two days and I haven’t eaten or brushed my teeth today, but yes, Mom, YOU do have a great life.” Then, we both broke into hysterical laughter.

She made a good point—life gets more hectic, different crazy spinning after children arrive. And sometimes we need to find ways to slow it down.

Our marriage is worth it.

Your marriage is worth it.

Well, Hot Dog Night was instituted during that season of my marriage. Amidst the screams of “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy” and interrupted bathroom breaks due to pounding on the door—oftentimes, I didn’t even close the door, because I feared one would be missing or dead if I did—and a dog that had been “painted” with cream cheese, I cried out to God.

“I need a break!”

Am I even still a woman? Is there any passion left in me after all the glue is scraped off of my coffee table? Can I even do something different with my hair? Did I even wash my hair today?

Maybe if I can get everyone to take a nap I can think and ponder my life? If I don’t fall asleep.

I’ve got to do something!

“It’s Hot Dog Night!” I announced it to the kids. Then, called hubby to let him know the good news.

Are you wondering what Hot Dog Night looked like?

Check this out: 

I’d somehow make the kids believe that it was later than it actually was throughout the day. In order to tire them out as much as possible, a visit to the park or a running game was in order. As the schedule got moved forward dinner was served early for the kids.

And what was on the menu you ask?

Hot dogs, of course, which they rarely got, because I had seen a news report that said hot dogs can cause cancer (yes, I wasn’t just paranoid, I was a bit neurotic, too), along with finger foods, a kid drink, and a dessert. They LOVED it.

Then, the kids got to watch a movie (another treat I didn’t allow too often). I made the room as dark as possible. After the movie they were in bed. Early. So early, that it gave me enough time to make myself look like a woman again, and get as dressed up and fancy as whacked-out Mom could get.

I’d fix a candlelight dinner, pulled rose peddles from our backyard, and greeted hubby with a kiss when he got home. The rest of the evening was adults only. The kids were threatened with “no Sponge Bob for months” if they even dare peek out of their rooms.

How are you doing?

Are you in need of some adult time? A date perhaps?

If you are in the season of raising kids, what you are doing matters more than you can imagine now.

Listen to an old Mom, your rewards await you. And they are better than you can possibly imagine.

 “Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”

-Proverbs 31:28-30

There was a point along my parenting journey where the realization hit me that my children will probably be married for longer than they will be in our home.

What example did I want to set?

 Sending your child off with an example of a healthy marriage, and one which honors God, is one of the best gifts you can give.

It’s never too late to work on your marriage and make it a priority. Love your kids by loving your spouse.

Fondly,

Lu

Lucille Williams is the author of “From Me to We” and “The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk about Sex and Pancakes”   order a copy today to enhance your marriage. Subscribe to LuSays for weekly updates.