When you’re a parent, sneaking out for a date can feel like a Herculean task. Between getting the little one to bed on time and worrying about a babysitter, the thought of going out might seem overwhelming. But don’t fret! I’m a huge advocate for carving out special time each week for my partner and me, and some of our most memorable dates have happened right in our living room with Netflix, takeout, and a decent bottle of wine. If you’re looking to create a similar experience, here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure a fantastic night in with your significant other.
- Ensure your child has had enough sleep during the day to help with a smooth bedtime.
- Prepare a bucket of ice in advance to avoid a late-night ice crisis.
- Aim to get the baby down to sleep on schedule.
- If you’re cooking dinner:
- Try to minimize the noise from pots and pans.
- Beat the oven timer before it starts beeping.
- If you’re ordering in:
- Option 1: Have your partner call while you handle bedtime.
- Option 2: Order right after getting the baby settled.
- Don’t forget to keep the dog occupied outside or distract him with a chew toy.
- Enjoy your meal quickly—kids have a knack for knowing when you want to enjoy something!
- Time to pick a movie.
- Spend the next 45 minutes browsing Netflix for options.
- Spend another 15 minutes checking your personal movie collection.
- Finally, select that trending movie you saw earlier on Netflix.
- Oh no, the baby is awake! Time for a quick game of rock, paper, scissors to see who goes to settle them.
- After two lullabies and some soothing, the baby is back asleep.
- Carefully place the baby back down without waking them.
- sneak out of the nursery.
- Realize how creaky your floors are.
- Notice your ankles cracking—make a mental note to check with a doc about that.
- Settle in to watch the movie.
- Decide you want popcorn. Contemplate whether it’s worth the risk of waking the baby.
- Live a little—go ahead and make the popcorn!
- Pour yourselves generous glasses of wine.
- Sit back down and get ready to enjoy the film.
- Your dog is growling at you for popcorn.
- The baby is stirring in the monitor.
- Bribe the dog with some popcorn so you can finally relax.
- Forget about the movie’s loud action scenes—stay focused!
- The baby is wide awake!
- Pause the movie.
- Engage in another round of rock, paper, scissors.
- Wait—he put himself back to sleep!
- With the movie paused, take a much-needed bathroom break.
- Those creaky floors strike again.
- The baby is awake! One lullaby and 10 minutes of rocking later, he’s calm once more.
- Repeat steps 13 to 16.
- Finally, sit down to finish the movie.
- Debate whether to stay up for some more quality time or hit the hay.
- Admire your peacefully sleeping baby on the monitor together—you created that little miracle, and it’s amazing.
- Opt to hang out a bit longer and pour another glass. The baby will wake up again soon anyway.
And there you have it! A straightforward 34-step guide to crafting a magical date night at home with your partner. For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this blog post on Intracervical Insemination. If you’re looking for expert advice, Make a Mom is a great resource. Additionally, Facts About Fertility offers valuable information on the topic.
In summary, creating a memorable date night at home can be as simple as planning ahead and embracing the chaos of parenthood. With a little creativity and preparation, you can still enjoy special moments together.