Being a nanny means you’re around kids all day long, so dating offers lessons too. Little kids have no filter and tell you exactly what’s on their minds. As adults, we craft responses to get certain reactions. Open and honest communication, with more tact than kids have, is what strong relationships need. Say what you mean before confusion starts taking over. A clear conversation can save both people from unnecessary guessing and frustration.

Being serious all the time is no fun, and your relationship will suffer without playfulness. Kids spend their days playing, while adults spend theirs working at jobs, life, and relationships. Don’t work too hard at dating too. Take a break from trying to control everything and just have some fun with it. You do not have to turn every date into a serious evaluation. Sometimes laughing and enjoying the moment tells you more than a long interview ever could.

Kids can laugh with one another even when they have just met. Serious conversations build relationships, but laughing together can bring people closer. Children also get angry quickly but rarely hold onto it. Get mad and get over it when something goes wrong; holding negativity is not healthy or fun. Not every disagreement deserves to become a permanent record of the relationship. Let yourself cool down, then decide whether the problem is worth carrying forward.

Most of us spend eight or more hours indoors, so why plan every date inside too? Get adventurous and go hiking, rock-climbing, or biking. Dating is a lot like being a kid again as you navigate new relationship waters. Take a cue from children, relax, get outside, and have some fun with it. Shared movement can create memories that conversation alone may not produce. The couple that explores together may discover a stronger connection along the way.