Date Night Tips for New Parents
Why Date Night Matters
For most new parents, the first few weeks and months postpartum are really, really HARD. Not only are we learning to care for a tiny little human, but we’re also recovering from the birth or supporting our partner in doing so. Hormones and emotions are all over the place - so from changing the first diaper to surviving on very little sleep, it really is the steepest of learning curves. That’s why any new parent would be totally forgiven for pushing thoughts of date ideas to the back of their mind.
So how important is date night for parents? Here’s the thing - spending time with your partner is still important. Sure, you need to nurture your new baby - but you still matter, and so does your partner. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, especially if you have a high-needs baby or you’re finding the adjustment to parenthood harder than you anticipated. Remember, everyone’s ideas for date nights are different, so it’s all about choosing something fun that you’ll both enjoy. Oh, and it might not look like the type of date you went on before kids!
Read on for some simple and fun date ideas to help you connect with your partner while you’re deep inthe trenches of the tricky newborn phase.
Lunch at Naptime
Some babies are pretty sleepy throughout the newborn phase. Others, not so much! If you’ve got a newborn who loves to snooze, going out for lunch is one of the best cute date ideas. Try to coordinate lunch out around one of your baby’s daytime naps. If your baby loves to sleep in the stroller, car seat or carrier, make a beeline for your favorite lunch spot just after they doze off. You’ll be right there if they need you, but you’ll also have the chance to chat with your partner over a meal neither of you has had to cook - win, win.
At-Home Movie Night
Whether you’re still spending every evening cluster feeding or your babe has started settling down at a predictable time, it’s time to make plans for an at-home movie night. Date night ideas at home are great - they require little effort and there’s no mad dash back home if things don’t go as planned. Simply set up some snacks and get ready to snuggle up on the couch. As long as you’re staying awake, your baby can either snooze in your arms or in the bassinet close by.
Prefer to prioritize sleep over watching a feature-length movie? We hear you, mama. Choose an episode of your favorite show instead to enjoy the best of both worlds. If you’d rather curl up in bed, try watching a movie or show on your iPad or tablet. To keep things quiet, use headphones with a splitter so you can both hear the audio without disturbing your little one.
Take a Walk
Everything in the world is shiny, new, and exciting to your baby. Heading outdoors is often a great way to soothe them. If they’re content to sit in the stroller and watch the world go by, a walking date with your partner is one of our favorite fun date ideas. Whether you choose to wander around the shopping mall, walk on the beach or sip a hot coffee in the park, doing some gentle exercise and spending time chatting with your partner will do wonders for your wellbeing. And if your baby falls asleep, you might even be able to sneak into a café or restaurant for a quick bite to eat, too.
Happy Hour
If your baby is a few months old, you might start to see a window of opportunity for a ‘parent date night’ between the last nap and bedtime. It’s only really viable if you’ve got a family member or friend that’s willing to babysit, but happy hour is a great way to enjoy time with your partner without losing out on much-needed sleep yourself! Book a table at your favorite bar or restaurant for around 5pm and enjoy a couple of hours away from parenting duties. Sure, you’ll end up talking about the baby 90% of the time, but it’s a great way to spend a little time feeling like you and not just mommy or daddy.
As with anything, a realistic plan for date night will always depend on your baby’s temperament. If you’ve got a little one that’s happy to hang out with grandma for a few hours, going out to dinner or to the movies is probably achievable. Got yourself a barnacle baby? You might need to be a little bit more creative!
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