One of Amangiri's suites
One of Amangiri's suitesIf you and your partner had a night free from children, and money was no object, what would you do? I’d do just what Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie did. Fly to some fabulous resort in an out of the way location and revel in all it had to offer. And in each other.

Pitt and Angelina recently spent what had to have been some much needed alone time at the Amangiri resort in Utah. The resort has all of my favorite things: tasty dining choices, a fabulous spa complete with a water pavilion, and gorgeous suites with dramatic views costing up to $3,600 per night. Heavenly. I'd love to go there with my husband though the cost makes it unlikely.

But as Jolie has said about taking time out to be alone with your partner:

You have to make time when you are not Mom and Dad once in a while. I think for anybody who has kids, the most important thing is that you love your children, but you also have to stay focused on each other so that you stay strong. And you staying strong as a couple keeps the kids in an even better place.

Boy, does she have that right.

Because it doesn’t matter if you have six kids at home under the age of 10 or three pre-teens, Mom and Dad need a break and the opportunity to spend time together. Alone. And recharge their marriage. But unfortunately, not all of us have the 24/7 child care or the money to spend to fly off to a fabulous resort. So what are some lower cost options that still allow you and your partner time away from the kids?

A Staycation

Send the kids away for a night or two to a friend's house. Tell a friend you'll do the same for her one weekend. Then pretend you don't see all of the piles of laundry and unmade beds in your home. Fill your bathtub with bubbles, light some candles, and don't worry about one of your kids walking in on you and your partner. One night gives you a quick fix together. But that's not always enough.

A Weekend Fling

Keep the costs down by employing grandparents as babysitters, their place or yours. And book a hotel within driving distance. If you only have a weekend, you don't want to spend time going through security at the airport. And with only two days alone, you probably don't really need to go sightseeing. Plenty of sights to see in your hotel room.

Longer Than a Weekend

This is ideal because it always takes a day to fully decompress. And with more time, you can hop on a plane and really get away. One of my favorites? Las Vegas. I know it conjures up images of smoky casinos and drunk yuppies. But the dining is phenomenal, the spas are luxurious, and good deals for flights and hotels can always be found.

How do you get extended time alone with your partner?

 

Image via Amangiri