Date nights away from the children help keep grown-ups happy

COUPLES can significantly boost their happiness and well-being by having date nights away from their children, research has shown.

A University College London (UCL) study analysed the lives of 236 couples and found that time parents spent with their children significantly contributed to their happiness.

However, the largest increase in wellbeing came when couples spent time alone without their children, research from UCL’S Institute of Education published in the journal Sociolog y found.

Dr Giacomo Vagni, who conducted the study, said it dispelled previous speculation that children can have a negative effect on parents’ mental health. “I found the opposite, that when parents are away from their children, they are sadder or depressed,” he said.

However, fathers’ mental well-being benefited more from family time than that of mothers, the research found. “One of the reasons is that during family time, when everyone is together, mothers are up and running around, doing all the chores and housework. There is an uneven distribution of housework,” said Dr Vagni.

On weekdays, during family time, mothers in the study averaged 38 minutes of childcare compared to 29 minutes for fathers, and at weekends, they averaged 70 minutes compared to 57 minutes for fathers.

Dr Vagni said the importance of “couple time” for happiness had significant policy ramifications.

“Couples today have difficulties finding time for each other – and scheduling family time,” he said. “David Cameron picked up on this as a policy point.” The former prime minister disclosed that he and his wife Samantha kept their relationship fresh by having a weekly date night at home or at one of their favourite restaurants.

Barack and Michelle Obama have also spoken about trying to find time for a “date night”, on Friday or Saturdays.