At home or with-kid date night ideas?

jillianmb · September 2012

DH and I spoiled right now and we have one date night every single week. We will be married 5 years in January and I think a big part of the reason why we are still so in love is that we still date each other!

But when our little man comes home we will not be using babysitters for the first 6 months. Wouldn't trade it for the world, but I think he's going to put a crimp in our dating style! Wink

Any good at home or take-the-kid-with-you date night ideas?

srmmm09 · September 2012

We love going to the park, your LO will be old enough to play on the playground w/o you and y'all can talk (and maybe grill! yummmm and no dishes!) as well.

Though, it may be too cold for that for y'all once he comes...

Do you have a fireplace? Y'all could roast marshmallows together!

[ILOVEYOUFALLPLEASECOMETOTEXASNOWWWW]

shortstuff15 · September 2012

I second both the above replies. Our kids both go to bed at 7:30ish so we get a good couple of hours each night to sit in front of the fireplace, watch movies, eat popcorn, play games, whatever. We also take family walks, go to the park, go for ice cream together, go for bike rides with the bike trailer attached, and once a week we have movie night as a family where we watch a Disney movie during supper!

Foster1Mom · September 2012

Redbox, dinner, wine. LO in bed.

We really need to go out. I went to Target today alone and thought I won the lottery. Oh how things change very fast.

Ginger71 · September 2012

Dance party! Sometimes H and I do a funky dance party and act all goofy or sometimes we just grab some wine and put on some romantic music and just dance.

srmmm09 · September 2012

Ginger71:
Dance party! .

What kid doesn't love to dance?!? And what melts hearts more than seeing your spouse dancing with your LO? Like, nothing.

Rachel Sonnier · September 2012

Those are all awesome ideas. I might try some of those myself!

We do a "saturday night movie" where we pop popcorn and sit on the sofa under a blanket together in our jammies and watch a fun kiddie movie. My DH was so anti-kid movies before LO came along, and last time he was away on business he was so bummed out when I told him we were going to watch the Lorax without him!! Kid things have a fun way of growing on you. Little things can become HUGE deals to them (like popping popcorn at home) and its really fun to be a part of that and watch them having fun and getting excited, knowing you are making memories. I find those to be bonding/I-am-so-in-love-with-DH moments as well. After all, THIS is what being a family is all about!

We also bring LO to restaurants, because he is quiet and can be entertained by a salad for well over half an hour, but I know that not all toddlers are like that, and there are still some places we wouldn't take him no matter how quiet he is. If you have to get out of the house I second the PP's picnic in the park idea, or even a fun cafe/sandwich shops with outdoor seating. And like another poster said, kids go to bed early. Sometimes one of us does bedtime duty and the other one runs out to pick up take out at our fav place...the one we can't take DS to. Then once LO is down for good, we light a candle in the dining room and eat our fancy food and have grown up conversations. Sometimes I even put makeup on! LOL

DaisyZH · September 2012

We go to a large park once a week and take a long walk, DS is still in the stroller so it's a great time to enjoy the weather, get some exercise and talk. We also take a small stroll every evening after dinner as a family, I love that and I'll be sad to stop once it gets too cold and dark after daylight savings time.

kacelle · September 2012

This was really fun to make: https://pinterest.com/pin/133982157634946770/

I made the passport and itineraries for 12 different country dates for DH for his birthday. Our plan is to do them monthly.

silliestbunny · September 2012

Just being concious of the need for one on one time w/spouse is a huge step. When you are exhausted, making sure to carve time out just to talk or sit together will go along way.

With two under two at home, it's often a quick game of Scrabble or watching an episode of Rick Steves to transport us somewhere else that reconnects us.

kacelle · September 2012

fredalina:
kacelle:
This was really fun to make: https://pinterest.com/pin/133982157634946770/I made the passport and itineraries for 12 different country dates for DH for his birthday. nbsp;: Our plan is to do them monthly.
Wow, I'm going to do this with the whole family and surprise them both with it the first time. Maybe we will make it a family tradition.

The printables are so great! It made it super easy to put together.

Dr.Loretta · September 2012

silliestbunny:
Just being concious of the need for one on one time w/spouse is a huge step. When you are exhausted, making sure to carve time out just to talk or sit together will go along way.

With two under two at home, it's often a quick game of Scrabble or watching an episode of Rick Steves to transport us somewhere else that reconnects us.

This

jillianmb · September 2012

Love all these replies. I was kinda bummed that our little man is coming home right as winter begins because it limits us so much. Can't go for a picnic, out for walks etc... but some of these inside suggestions sound so cozy! And I'm going to check out that passport to love. Thanks!

ellekae · September 2012

For last Valentine's Day, I set up and indoor camping trip for DH. Our tent fills our whole living room, but it was a fun surprise when he comes home from work.

Plus, after DD went to bed, there were plenty of pillows to turn that tent into a snuggle fest!

elissaann26 · September 2012

Sometimes we have a picnic on the floor. This started in our first apartment because our dining room chairs were SUPER uncomfortable. So we'd sit on the floor on a blanket. Then it became a tradition to have wine and cheese picnic's. We'd go to Whole Foods and pick out three new cheeses to try and a new kind of wine, then add in some crackers and fruit! It was a fun way to just chat and try new things.

Jillian- I noticed that you said that you weren't planning on using a sitter for the first 6 months. I'm not sure if that is a rule or if it is your decision, but I'd just be willing to reconsider once you are in those 6 months. We have now been parents for 3 months and NEED the date night that we are taking tonight. It will make us better parents tomorrow. And I can tell you I would have never guessed that I'd be saying that. But just staying aware to what your needs are and being willing to go against "the plan" if needed. And in no way am I saying that I know what will work for your family- only you do. But just wanted to share our experience for some perspective.

butterflyroy78 · September 2012

We had a "spa night" at home for a date night! It was fun, just buy a bunch of treatments and do them to eachother! We did a face mask, parafin wax, bubble bath, and a couple of others and then had a candle lit dinner. It was a really nice night in!

Tons more ideas here:

https://pinterest.com/pin/84442561732674435/

jillianmb · September 2012

elissaann26:

Jillian- I noticed that you said that you weren't planning on using a sitter for the first 6 months. I'm not sure if that is a rule or if it is your decision, but I'd just be willing to reconsider once you are in those 6 months. We have now been parents for 3 months and NEED the date night that we are taking tonight. It will make us better parents tomorrow. And I can tell you I would have never guessed that I'd be saying that. But just staying aware to what your needs are and being willing to go against "the plan" if needed. And in no way am I saying that I know what will work for your family- only you do. But just wanted to share our experience for some perspective.

Thanks for saying this. It isn't a rule; it is our decision after the research we've done on attachment. That said, I have already scheduled a session with an attachment therapist (one before comes home) and will schedule a few more after he comes home just so that I can have an outside, professional opinion about how our bonding is going. If she thinks our little man is ready for a sitter, we will use one. I don't trust myself to be able to tell when he is ready (he'd probably be 18 if it were up to me! ha.), so it will be good to have someone give us "permission" to leave him for the first time. I think 3 months is awesome and when we pass that mark I will probably feel pretty relieved! 6 months is ideal, but not a hard and fast rule.

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