We all know the importance of putting in some quality time with our partners. Nurturing a relationship and allowing it to grow is essential – it’s like water and sunlight for a plant. The trouble is, life has a nasty habit of getting in the way. Work, kids, Netflix constantly adding new shows – it’s easy to unintentionally neglect what counts.
But if you feel like your relationship is in need of some TLC, and you’re struggling to find the opportunities, then remember, it’s not the duration of the time you spend together that counts, it’s what you do with it. Here are eight ways to really invest in your relationship…
Find a good babysitter
If you’ve got kids, then the importance of finding a babysitter that’s reliable, and that your kids love, cannot be overstated, and it’s worth paying a little extra to know you’re leaving them in good hands a couple of times a month. Of course not everyone can afford to hire a babysitter on a regular basis, and if you don’t have relatives nearby, going out as a couple can be even more difficult. One way around that is to establish a babysitting rota with parents of your children’s school friends that live in the area. If you create a system built on credits, then every couple can easily enjoy a few nights out every month with no cost except time spent looking after someone else’s kids for a few hours. 
Take a holiday from the kids
The occasional night out not enough? Then ask (or beg) their grandparents to look after the children for a weekend while you take a city break. Alternatively, if you’re taking a family holiday, then spend a little more and book a hotel with a kids’ club, so that for a few hours every day you can just relax on the beach, in the pool, or in your room, as a couple.
Play to your strengths
Think about your own unique, special talents – are you a master chef in the kitchen who can whip up a mouthwatering feast by the time your loved one is out of the bath? Can you write and perform a romantic song? Or are you the type that always manages to think up a really amazing date location? Whatever your skills, put them to use in making your quality time as memorable as possible.
Make nights in more special
If your weekday evenings usually follow a similar formula to this: get back from work, microwave up some leftovers or make a quick bowl of pasta, collapse in a heap in front of TV, then why not spice things up a little once in a while. Both of you make a point of leaving work early one day. Prepare a special meal together, then enjoy it by candlelight, having got dressed up beforehand. No TV, no phones, just conversation and of course, plenty of wine.
Skip the household chores
The washing up can soak in the sink overnight. The shopping can wait until the weekend. Consider what’s more important, that the house looks picture-perfect, or your relationship gets the care and attention that it needs?
Join a gym together
The couple that works out together, stays together. Or something. Point is, a couple’s gym membership can not only save you money, but it could also help you to motivate each other to keep fi, as well as spend time together. After all, many of us will let our gym memberships lapse after just a few months, often through lack of willpower. Running on treadmills side-by-side, spotting each other on weights machines, or soaking up the bubbles in the hot tub afterward, you might be surprised how easily the conversation can flow. 
Enjoy interests that you share
Treat your partner to a Tinggly Time Together gift voucher the next time a birthday or anniversary rolls around, and you can share an experience that fulfils both of your interests. Maybe you want to relax in a luxury spa while on holiday, take a romantic sunset cruise, or take a sightseeing tour with a twist. We handpick the couples’ experiences in our collection to ensure there is something that appeals to everyone.
Go big or go home
Stealing a little quality time together as a couple can be difficult sometimes. So when you do get the chance, make it count. Plan something special in advance, whether it be heading into the city to catch a show, trying a hot new restaurant, or something simple like putting together a romantic picnic. The more memorable your time together is, the more encouraged you’ll be to find more opportunities like it.