One of the best things we can do as parents is spend some special time with each of our children. Time is one of the best presents we can give, and if wasted, we can never get that time back.
　　Going on dates with your kids is a good way to show you love and care for them. It will open lines of communication and build a strong level of closeness that will weather the good and bad times in life. If you can talk easily now, you’ll be able to talk when it’s really needed.
　　There is something simply sweet and important in spending one-on-one time with your child. It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is that you talk, laugh, cry, agree, disagree, and always part ways with an “I love you”.
　　Once a month is a good time for special one-on-one dates with your child. You can let your child pick which parent they want to go out with and make their birthday number as the regular date day （if born on the 26th, then the 26th is their special day）. You should do something they choose to do, such as going to a movie or going out for dinner and ice cream. It is good for your child to know that they will have their special day the same day every month.
　　Decide what works best for your family and your schedule. Maybe it’s every Saturday night, or Sunday morning. Just do it regularly and you can’t go wrong!
　　Here are 10 great ideas for dates you can go on with your child.
　　1. Go out to breakfast （on birthdays or whenever）
　　2. Go to the pet store
　　3. Go see a movie
　　4. Surprise them by picking them up from school and going to lunch
　　5. Go running together
　　6. Take a bike ride
　　7. Go to a book store
　　8. Visit museums
　　9. Take a dance class together
　　10. Take them to see your old school（s）, e.g. middle school
　　Vocabulary
　　communication n. 沟通
　　weather v. 平安地渡过（困难）
　　part ways 离开，分手
　　regular adj. 固定的，定期的
　　If you have any other great ideas or successful stories, please share!