When you’re a parent, escaping the house for a date can feel like planning a covert mission. Between the stress of getting the little one to sleep on time, finding a babysitter who won’t turn into a scene from a horror movie, and, let’s be honest, putting on real pants, it’s no wonder many couples opt for a cozy night in. I firmly believe in carving out time each week for my partner and me to connect, and some of our most cherished dates have unfolded over Netflix, takeout, and a decent bottle of wine (because who has time for fancy dining?). If you’re eager to try this out for yourself, here’s a detailed guide to ensure your night in is nothing short of memorable.
- Ensure your child gets their recommended daytime naps—consider this preventive maintenance.
- Prepare a bucket of ice to avoid any late-night ice machine drama.
- Get that baby to bed on schedule.
- If cooking:
- Keep pot banging to a minimum.
- Beat the oven timer to avoid the obnoxious beep.
- If you’re ordering takeout:
- Option 1: Have your partner place the order while you handle bedtime.
- Option 2: Call as soon as the baby is down.
- Don’t forget to distract the dog with a bone so barking doesn’t wake the baby.
- Your food has arrived! Devour it quickly; kids have a knack for sensing when you’re finally enjoying a hot meal.
- Time to pick a movie!
- Spend the next 45 minutes scrolling through Netflix.
- Dedicate another 15 minutes to browsing your own movie collection.
- Eventually, settle on that trending film you spotted 40 minutes ago.
- Uh-oh! The baby is awake! Quick, rock-paper-scissors to see who goes back to sleep duty.
- After two lullabies and some gentle rocking, the baby is asleep again.
- Place the baby back down without a peep.
- Make a stealthy exit from the nursery.
- Realize your floorboards creak like an old haunted house.
- Notice your ankles crack as you tiptoe. Mental note: schedule a doc appointment for that.
- Finally, settle in to watch the movie.
- Wait, you suddenly want popcorn. Is it worth the risk of waking the baby?
- Live dangerously and pop that corn anyway.
- Pour yourselves generous glasses of wine.
- Sit back down, ready to enjoy the flick.
- Your dog begins growling, clearly eyeing your popcorn.
- The baby stirs on the monitor—oh no!
- Bribe the dog with a piece of popcorn and prepare to enjoy the movie.
- Forget that you’re watching an action film with intense sound effects.
- Baby alert!
- Pause the movie.
- Rock-paper-scissors again to decide who soothes the baby back to sleep.
- Wait, hold on… the baby’s back to sleep on their own!
- Since the movie is paused, it’s a perfect time for a bathroom break.
- Oops, that creaky floor again!
- Baby awake for real this time! One lullaby and ten minutes of “Oh baby baby” rocking like Monica from Friends.
- Repeat steps 13 to 16 once more.
- Sit down to finish the movie.
- Debate whether to stay up and enjoy each other’s company or just crash.
- Admire your sleeping baby on the monitor together. You created that little miracle, and it’s pretty rad.
- Opt to hang out a bit longer and pour another glass of wine; the baby will be up again in no time.
And there you have it! A straightforward 34-step guide to an unforgettable date night at home with your partner.
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Summary
This humorous yet practical guide takes you through the 34 steps to enjoy a memorable date night at home as parents. It emphasizes the importance of connection, even amidst the chaos of parenting, providing real-life tips for making the most of a cozy night in.