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Date Night: Then and Now—A Fun Look at Parenting’s Impact on Romance
As any parent will tell you, children change everything, even the way we date our partners. Reflecting on our pre-kid days, it feels more like we were just out partying rather than genuinely dating. My partner and I still carve out time for date nights, but let me tell you, they look a lot different these days! Here’s a lighthearted comparison of date nights before kids versus after kids:
When to Go Out
- Before Kids: Every night feels like a potential date night.
- With Kids: We’re lucky if we manage to get out once a month!
Getting Ready
- Before Kids: I’d take my sweet time—smooth legs, dazzling outfit, perfectly coordinated jewelry and heels. I could even lounge for a few minutes before heading out.
- With Kids: Getting ready is a chaotic whirlwind. I’m trying to shower while juggling dinner for the toddlers. Half of my leg shaving is skipped, and oh look, my daughter is wearing my favorite necklace! The baby is clingy, and meanwhile, I’m attempting to apply makeup as my daughter begs to use it. Jewelry? What’s that? I just hope my outfit is decent enough, and then I sneak out while their grandma reads them a story.
Choosing a Destination
- Before Kids: The world is our oyster! Where should we go? I feel like we’ve been everywhere!
- With Kids: We’ve got our restaurant list down to a science. Reservations are made in advance, and I’ve been drooling over the menu for days! If it’s not a planned date night, we might get lucky with a business dinner that gives us an excuse to escape!
Dinner Time
- Before Kids: Drinks, dinner, and peaceful eating were the norms. What bar should we hit up next?
- With Kids: Dining out feels like royalty! We savor each moment, cautiously avoiding any toddler hands reaching for our forks. The kids’ antics become our dinner entertainment, and we’re busy giggling over funny texts from Grandma.
After Dinner
- Before Kids: We’d hit the bar with no worries, enjoying shots and dancing like there’s no tomorrow!
- With Kids: After our first drink, the worry sets in. How are the kids doing? Is it time to head home? (Looks at watch—it’s only 10 p.m.) Okay, just one more drink since it’s a special night!
Returning Home
- Before Kids: We’d stumble in around 3 a.m., probably stopping for fast food on the way home. We’d crash into bed and sleep like babies.
- With Kids: We come home before midnight, feeling like we’ve been away forever. Sneaking into bed, we might wake a little one who wants to know where we’ve been. We end up snuggling them, missing their sweet faces.
The Next Day
- Before Kids: I’d wake up wondering where to grab wings and beer for the football game.
- With Kids: We wake up way too early, feeling like we’ve been hit by a bus, wondering how it’s possible since we weren’t out that late. Nope, can’t stay in bed—there’s soccer practice at 8 a.m.!
Dating is essential for keeping the spark alive in a marriage, even if it becomes a challenge when kids enter the picture. Date nights may be few and far between, but I strive to prioritize them. Sometimes, even a 20-minute car ride with sleeping kids in the back can count as a “date.”
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Summary
Parenting dramatically alters the dating landscape. While pre-kid dates were carefree and frequent, post-kid outings require more planning and adaptation. From getting ready to enjoying a night out, each stage presents its own unique challenges and joys. Prioritizing date nights, even in small ways, remains essential for keeping marital connections strong.