No babysitter for Valentine’s Day this year? No problem! You can still have a fun and romantic evening, even with the kids. Last year, we couldn’t get a babysitter for Valentine’s Day. But we recovered, by putting the kids to work. That’s right. Putting the kids to work.

I asked my kids if they could help put together a romantic evening for Daddy and I. They took it on as a challenge and were quite creative. Here’s how it worked.

1. Decide whether you are going to cook or order in from one of your favorite restaurants. We enjoy cooking but if you don’t, treat yourself and get carry out. Fancy food, no clean-up mess, and a less expensive bill because you can drink your own wine.2. Ask the kids to help by setting a fancy, candlelit table, dressing up as a waiter or waitress, creating a menu, and any other creative thing you can think of to create a romantic restaurant atmosphere. If your kids can play an instrument, have them serenade you. Get them to play romantic music on the iPod.

3. Feed the kids one of their favorite meals first while you are cooking for waiting for your carry-out dinner. When they are done “serving” you, put in a movie or turn on the Wii and let the kids amuse themselves in the other room while you enjoy a romantic dinner together.

4. Once they are in bed – parents can watch a romantic movie, slow dance in the family room, or um, whatever.

Your kids will feel special that you asked them to help create a romantic evening for Mommy and Daddy. You’ll be surprised with how much they get into it. If your kids are younger, you enjoy the same evening, just feed them early and put them to bed a little earlier. Then enjoy your dinner and romantic time together.

Make sure to make the night special for your kids too. Give your daughter a single rose or give them Valentine’s and chocolate.

What do you do to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the kids?