Missing evenings with DH

[daffodilsarebest]

I have always loved the time after the dc have gone to bed and DH and I have a few hours of time on our own together. DC are getting older now (10 and 8) and we are getting less and less time without the dc. We aim to get them in bed at 8 and 8.30 but it is always later, and then one or the other will pop down for some reason. DH and I used to get the dc to bed and have a nice meal, but now it is so late we have to eat before they go to bed so it's just not the same. My parents have the dc for a couple of nights every other month or so but it doesn't feel enough. I do feel selfish and love being with the dc but miss being alone with dh. What happens in your house?

Sorry- it will only get worse! Remember that it's a depressingly few years until they've left home and you'll have all the evenings you want

Enjoy them now and steal a little time for yourselves. In just 6 years the older one will not want to be near you, 2 years later he/she will leave home, followed 2 later by the other one.

My DW and I started "dating" again when our kids were 17 and 14 as they never wanted to come anywhere with us. Now they have both left home. We have a great time now with our freedom, but would swap back in a heart beat.

Have a one night a week rule where they must read in bed or watch a DVD and not come downstairs. When they get to 14-15 they will not venture out of their rooms ever and you will have plenty of time

Well by the ages of 8 and 10 we would all eat together about 6.30-7.00 ish . 8 year old would have gone to bed around 8 and 10 year old about nine. Once they were both at secondary school bed for them both around 9.30. We tend to go to bed around 10.00-10.30 in the week so only about an hour child free!
Ours are now 17 and 20 so "us time" is limited to when they are out.
The early years were tougher as you are still "looking after" them so feel you need that space from incessant talking etc but actually the dynamic gradually shifts. With their advancing age we've had the return of social spontaneity -popping out for a meal or cinema midweek etc. both kids can cook so will sometimes do dinner at weekends while DH and I relax with a drink. Teens like a lie in so on a Sunday DH and I make ourselves a nice peaceful breakfast and read the papers.
You still get "you time - just at a different time.

Thanks for the replies. I do need to appreciate these years and think of other ways for me and dh to have romantic time together! I suppose you just adjust to each stage and there are loads of things I love about the dc being this age.