We just started at a center about a month ago and love it so far. Next month they have a "Parents Night Out" planned - for $10 we can drop our kids off from 7-10 on a Friday night. DH and I are debating whether or not we should sign up...
Obviously, this would get us a date night for much cheaper than a babysitter costs. We don't live near family so we get very few date nights, and when we do a babysitter costs a fortune. The kids would be at a safe place that we trust with teachers that know them. My older DD would be with her friends. We only live 5 minutes from the center and would probably go out for dinner/drinks somewhere nearby, so it would be convenient.
Our main concern is that our older DD goes to bed at 7:30 and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be sleeping there (they have all kinds of fun activities planned) so it would totally mess up her schedule - this could be fine - or could cause a huge meltdown. My little one usually goes to bed at 9:00 but she'll sleep almost anywhere and I'm sure they'd let her sleep in her crib there anyway.
WWYD? Has anyone done a "parents night out" at their daycare before and how did it go?
Re: Daycare "parents night out" WWYD...
First I wanna say I wish by DC did this!! I'm jealous!
I think I would give it a try and see how things go. Even if you drop them off at 7 and pick them up by 9 that gives you 2 hours out for a quiet dinner. If your oldest gets off schedule you'll have 2 days to get her back on track.
I say try it and see who it goes!
Our DCP has done this once - and it was wonderful! I was concerned about DD and her sleep schedule, but they kept the lights off and put her in a swing to go to sleep. It was worth it - it was so nice to be out with DH. We don't have family nearby either.
I think one night will not ruin your older DD. I think she is old enough to understand that she is going to go to her own 'party'. Tell your friends that they need to be willing to toss their party plans and put her to bed, though, if need be.
The benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Go have a great time.
I would definately do it. If my daycare offered this, I would sign up in a heartbeat! It's a Friday night, your DD will be fine if she stays up a little late one night. Do you always make sure she is in bed at 7:30pm?
Seriously, go out, have fun and enjoy your time with your DH!
Go for it!!
Our daycare had a parent's night a few months after we started at the center. Our daughter was just under 1 and going to bed around 7 each night. I thought for sure she would just sleep the entire time at the center, but she got to playing with the big kids and had a blast. She fell asleep in the car and slept in the next morning.
DH and I went to dinner and a movie and had a wonderful time!!
I love it that our daycare provides this opportunity...everyone should make use of the offer when it is available!!
GL!
Courtney arrived 9/16/07
DD #1 passed away in January 2011 at 14 days old due to congenital heart disease
DD#2 lost in January 2012 at 23 weeks due to anhydramnios caused by a placental abruption
Go for it! One night won't hurt your older daughter. My DD stayed at my parents overnight and all day the next day when our daycare was closed for President's Day. My mom had our baby that normally goes to bed by 7pm up at 11:30pm watching TV until 1am. She was fine the next night and was asleep in bed by 7pm. No harm done.
Have fun on your night out!
Kate was born 1-26-2008
Natural m/c on 10-18-09 at 9.5 weeks
Mira was born 9-14-2010
I'm sure your daughter won't be the only kid there who usually goes to bed before 10 PM The daycare is surely prepared for that and knows how to keep the kids busy to avoid meltdowns, and handle meltdowns if they occur!
FWIW, DD usually goes to bed around 8 PM, but we've kept her as late as 10:30 or 11 PM on occasion when we've gone to parties -- as long as there's stuff going on, she's fine.
Go, and have a great time!
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)
I'm glad you're going. I think you'd be crazy not to. Just plan for a mellow Saturday and make sure DD gets down for her nap as scheduled or earlier. We leave DD with ILs for our dates, but then pick her up and wake her up to bring her home, and she survives just fine.
Enjoy your date!!!
Or, you could ask a trusted favorite teacher if they babysit on the side. That way, your babies are cared for and kept on a schedule.
Our daycare does this every couple of months - I LOVE it.
If your DD gets tired, they'll have a designated spot for kids to sleep in. But if she stays up an hour later than usual one night, it's not that big of a deal........and it's worth it for you and your DH to have a night out.