7 Quirky Things Parents Do on Date Night

I absolutely cherish date night—or day! Honestly, any time spent away from the kids, with my partner, is a win in my book. However, during our last outing, I realized we’ve developed some pretty strange habits since becoming parents. It’s wild how no parenting guide talks about how our social skills take a nosedive once we have kids. Our etiquette? Pretty much non-existent. And let’s just say that our time-management for socializing could use some serious work. Here’s a peek into the odd behaviors we’ve picked up:

1. We Devour Our Meals

Every time my partner and I dine out, we find ourselves inhaling our food. I’m not talking competitive eating level, but it’s pretty close! It’s not like we’re trying to be rude—it’s just our norm. With kids, dinner is a chaotic battle of food rejection and constant interruptions, so when we finally get a moment to eat, we do so at lightning speed. The hot food is delightful, but I can’t help but cringe when I think about how we must look to others.

2. We Chug Our Wine

Similar to our dining habits, our wine consumption has taken a turn. At home, I nurse a glass for what feels like an eternity due to constant interruptions. But on date night? It’s a whole different story. With no kids around, I can finish a glass way too quickly. While it feels like a treat at the moment, I often wake up with a headache or, on some rare occasions, a sense of youthful glee—neither of which ends in a good way.

3. We Snap Selfies for Social Media

I’m not one for selfies, and I definitely don’t own a selfie stick. Yet, on date nights, I find myself compelled to capture the moment. When my hair is styled and I’m wearing a bit of makeup, I’m tempted to document it all. Maybe it’s a way to show off or perhaps just to remind ourselves we’re more than “Mom” and “Dad.” Regardless, it’s almost a guarantee that one of us will post that quirky snapshot.

4. Dinner Ends by 7 p.m.

After polishing off a bottle of wine and a hefty meal, we look at the clock only to find it’s 7 p.m. Our date commenced at 6! We can’t possibly go home yet—it’s not a proper date if we return before dark. Plus, the kids aren’t even asleep yet.

5. We Feel Ancient

We finish our meals long before most people even consider heading out. A couple of glasses of wine in, we’re feeling a bit tipsy and giddy. But as I glance around, I can’t help but feel out of place. We’re the older couple at the bar, discussing where to go next, and when “karaoke bar” comes up, I can only think of how loud it might be. Yep, I’m feeling my age.

6. We Make Impulse Buys

With dinner wrapped up so early, we often stroll through nearby shops, and after a few glasses of wine, we’re prone to making random purchases. We now own several oversized, fragrant candles thanks to our spontaneous shopping sprees. Honestly, I’m just grateful that Costco isn’t around the corner!

7. We’re Home Before 10 p.m.

Our date nights are always enjoyable, but with two little ones under 5, exhaustion sets in quickly. Even if we had the energy for a wild night out, the kids will be up long before dawn, and they don’t care about hangovers. So, heading to bed early? Honestly, it’s the best part.

Date nights have certainly transformed over the years. Sure, we could work on our table manners and social graces, but let’s be real—this is just where we are in life. Maybe that’s why no parenting book covers these changes; perhaps it’s less about etiquette and more about coping with the chaos. While these quirks may seem strange, they’re part of a shared experience among fellow parents. Instead of feeling self-conscious, I plan to embrace them, because before I know it, I’ll be that quirky old lady who removes her dentures at the dinner table!

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Summary

: Parenting has changed our approach to date nights, leading to some quirky habits such as speedy eating, quick wine consumption, and early bedtimes. While we may feel out of practice socially, these behaviors are just part of our journey as parents.