For many parents, escaping the house for a date night can feel like an impossible feat. The pressure of ensuring your little one is asleep before heading out for dinner, the challenge of finding a trustworthy babysitter, and even the simple act of getting dressed can be overwhelming. However, I firmly believe in the importance of carving out time for my partner and me each week, and some of our most cherished moments have unfolded right at home with a movie, takeout, and a bottle of reasonably priced wine (a new twist on “Netflix and chill”). For those looking to recreate this experience, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you achieve a memorable evening together.
- Ensure your child has had the recommended amount of daytime sleep to prevent nighttime wake-ups.
- Prepare a bucket of ice beforehand to avoid any ice-related mishaps post-bedtime.
- Aim for a timely bedtime for your baby.
- If you’re cooking dinner:
- Avoid creating too much noise with pots and pans.
- Beat the oven timer to prevent the loud alarm from interrupting your evening.
- If opting for takeout:
- Option A: Have your partner place the order while you handle bedtime.
- Option B: Call right after getting the baby settled.
- Don’t forget to manage your dog to minimize barking that could wake the baby.
- Once your food arrives, eat quickly; children have an uncanny knack for knowing when you’re trying to enjoy a hot meal.
- Next, it’s time to select a movie.
- Spend 45 minutes browsing Netflix.
- Devote another 15 minutes reviewing your personal movie collection.
- Finally, choose that trending film you spotted earlier.
- Oops! The baby is awake! Quickly play rock, paper, scissors to see who will handle putting them back to sleep.
- After a couple of lullabies and some rocking, the baby is soundly asleep again.
- Carefully place the baby in the crib without waking them.
- Stealthily exit the nursery.
- Notice how creaky the floors are.
- Also, take note of how loud your ankles crack and remember to consult a doctor about that.
- Settle in to watch your movie.
- Suddenly, you crave popcorn. Weigh the risk of waking the baby against the reward of popcorn.
- Live dangerously and make the popcorn anyway.
- Pour yourself a generous glass of wine.
- Rejoin your partner and prepare for the movie.
- Your dog starts growling at you for a taste of the popcorn.
- The baby stirs on the monitor.
- Distract the dog with popcorn and finally settle in to enjoy the film.
- Forget that you’re watching a movie filled with loud explosions or intense music.
- The baby is awake again!
- Pause the movie.
- Play rock, paper, scissors again, but wait—he’s put himself back to sleep!
- Since the movie is paused, take a quick bathroom break.
- The floors creak ominously once more.
- The baby is awake! (This time, for real.) One lullaby and 10 minutes of gentle rocking later.
- Repeat steps 13 to 16.
- Finally, sit down to finish the movie together.
- Debate whether to stay up and enjoy each other’s company or call it a night.
- Admire your peacefully sleeping baby on the monitor. You made that little one!
- Opt to hang out a bit longer and pour another glass of wine. The baby will be up again soon enough anyway.
And there you have it—a straightforward yet entertaining 34-step guide to creating a memorable date night at home with your partner! For those looking to explore home insemination options, you might find insights in this article on the CryoBaby at-home insemination kit, while this fertility booster for men provides valuable information. Additionally, if you’re seeking more resources on treating infertility, this resource from ACOG is excellent.
Summary
This article outlines a playful and light-hearted 34-step guide for parents to have a memorable date night at home, emphasizing the importance of time together, even amidst the challenges of parenting.
Keyphrase: At-home date night for parents
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