My older girls and I started girls night about 6 years ago. I was going to school and working and they were also in school. They used to tell me that they missed me, and I missed them! I thought for a while about what we could do to spend more time together. One if my friends had been talking to me about how she had gone out with some of her friends for an epic night of fun. Ladies night or something or other.
It dawned on me that I could do the same thing with my girls. Don’t judge. Mom brain is real, especially when working and taking 20 credits. Our girls night shenanigans wouldn’t consist of the normal stuff, like going to a bar or club or anything like that. However this was a time for just me and my girls!
The amazing thing about this is you can change the activities depending on what you and your family like to do, or how old your kiddos are. You can even call it whatever the heck you want! Girls night, mommy daughter dates, movie night, slumber party. If you have sons instead of daughters or a mix of either, these activities are for you too!
Our very first girls night was super fun! We lived in an apartment that had a deck that I kept the BBQ on. We made S’mores and built a fort to sleep in! We watched a Barbie movie or something of that nature, giggled and had a blast! The next morning we made a big breakfast and climbed back into our fort. Our nights usually happened on a Saturday back then. Here’s a sweet picture of our very first girls night:
Since the start of this tradition, we have changed stuff up a little bit. Shelby and Emory have always had input as to what happens on girls night. Sometimes we make a special dinner, sometimes we go grab something quick, or we have special snacks. They always help pick out what movie we watch, and it’s a time where they are relatively kind to each other and don’t mind sitting near each other. Girls night is always a special time of the week where the rules went out the window, they were allowed to eat dinner or the snacks in the living room and stayed up way past their bed times.
As the girls got older, the activities changed. Instead of forts, we were doing our nails and make-up. Then as they got even older it turned into making homemade snacks. The movies would also change, they both have very different tastes in what they like to watch. Shelby loves horror movies through and through and Emory loves comedy movies. I am a huge fan of both, so depending on how tired everyone is we will watch one of each.
We used to camp in the living room, but lately we watch our movies, have our snacks, hang out and then mosey on into our bedrooms. The next morning, we always make a big breakfast and spend the morning listening to music. We have had some of our best conversations during these times, I’d like to think it’s because the girls got time with me and time to unwind and relax.
Over the last year girls night hasn’t really happened that often. And we have a new girly to add in! Willow likes to hang out with us too. She can’t hang out as long as her big sisters though and that’s alright. Shelby and Emory need to have that special time with me too, like we used to. Not only because there have been a lot of changes this last year, but because they are both changing and growing and they need their mama.
Some other ideas for a family night include: crafts, board games, trying a new recipe, doing some yoga, taking a walk, watch holiday themed movies (during Thanksgiving we LOVE to watch plains, trains and automobiles), bake cookies and so on! Like I said before, girls night/family night is a really flexible way to spend time together. Add in activities that each of your kiddos will enjoy, let them be a part of the planning and have fun with it!
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