As a parent, the joy of a date night—or even a date day—cannot be overstated. There’s something profoundly uplifting about spending time with my partner while our kids are safely at home. However, I’ve noticed some peculiar behaviors that have emerged since becoming parents. Despite the plethora of parenting advice available, few resources touch on how parenthood affects our social interactions and etiquette. Here are seven odd habits I’ve observed:
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Rapid Consumption of Food
During our dinner outings, my partner, Jake, and I find ourselves devouring our meals at astonishing speed. It’s not that we’re in a competitive eating contest, but it’s clear that we’ve adapted to the chaos of family mealtime. With children who are picky eaters, mealtime often involves constant interruptions and demands. When we finally get a chance to enjoy a meal, we tend to eat quickly without even realizing it. It seems like we carry this rushed habit into our adult outings. -
Chugging Wine
The situation with wine mirrors our dining habits. At home, I might take an hour to savor a glass, but when we’re out, it vanishes in no time. The lack of interruptions means I can drink freely—sometimes a little too freely. While it’s often enjoyable, the next day can bring its own set of challenges, including headaches or a sense of youthful abandon that doesn’t end well. -
Selfies and Social Media
Even though I’m not usually a fan of selfies, date night often prompts us to snap a picture. With my hair styled and makeup applied, I can’t resist the urge to document our rare outing. Perhaps it’s a way to assert our identities beyond being “Mom” and “Dad,” or maybe it’s just a fun way to share our night out. Regardless, it’s almost guaranteed that one of us will share this snapshot on social media. -
Dinner by 7 p.m.
After an hour of dining, we often find ourselves finishing dinner by 7 p.m. We’ve consumed a bottle of wine and indulged in our meals, yet our evening is just getting started. Returning home before dark feels wrong, and the kids are still awake, so we have to find ways to stretch the night. -
Feeling Outdated
As the clock ticks, we notice how quickly we finish our meals compared to others who are just arriving. A couple of glasses of wine can leave us feeling tipsy and slightly out of place. Conversations about more lively destinations, like karaoke bars, make me realize that I’m not as young as I used to be—loud venues seem overwhelming. -
Impulse Buying
With our dinner wrapped up early, we often wander into local shops. The spontaneity of shopping without kids can lead to some unexpected purchases—like the six oversized scented candles we now own. It’s a fun way to embrace our freedom, although it leaves us wondering how we ended up with so many candles! -
Early Bedtime
After a fun evening, we typically find ourselves home before 10 p.m. With young children, exhaustion sets in quickly, and the prospect of early bedtimes becomes appealing. After all, the kids will wake up at the crack of dawn, and they are not sympathetic to a hangover.
While date nights have certainly changed since before kids, it’s essential to recognize that these habits are part of our current lives. Instead of striving for perfection in our social skills, perhaps we should embrace these quirks as coping mechanisms. After all, whether we’re new parents or seasoned pros, we’re all navigating this journey together.
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Summary: This article highlights seven unusual habits that parents often develop during date nights, including rapid eating, impulse buying, and feeling out of place. It explores how these behaviors stem from the hectic lifestyle of parenting, suggesting that they are coping mechanisms rather than failures of etiquette.