“Hey ladies, it’s time for a night out! Who’s in?” This was the text I received, and honestly, my heart sank. With 12 other moms—some new to the gig and others seasoned pros—on the group chat, I questioned how on earth we could pull this off. But hey, we are the queens of multitasking! We can handle anything thrown our way. Why don’t we do this more often? If dads can have their nights out, we can too! Here’s a step-by-step guide to making that girls’ night out happen.
- Start chatting with your friends about a night out at least a month before the desired date. Discuss potential times. Mom A suggests 7:30 p.m. due to toddler dinner schedules, but Mom B counters with 5 p.m. for bedtime. After some debate, 5 p.m. wins!
- Choose a trendy restaurant that doesn’t have a kids’ menu, just to make it clear this is a mom’s night out. Notably, this place doesn’t even open until 5:30, so 5:30 it is!
- Dig through your closet for a cute outfit that doesn’t require a nursing bra. Oh wait—nothing fits. Aim for a flowy top and pants that aren’t yoga wear.
- Send out a reminder email two days prior to confirm attendance. Mom C still hasn’t secured a babysitter.
- Don’t forget to schedule all your errands for the day of the big event.
- Ensure your baby starts teething the night before, leading to a chorus of crying. Those dark circles will only enhance your makeup!
- Drag yourself out of bed after a mere three hours of sleep to start your day. Wait, it’s still dark outside at 4:30 a.m. What is the baby doing awake?!
- Try to soothe the baby back to sleep for two hours. Meanwhile, watch your husband and older kids get up cheerfully. Ugh!
- Brew coffee, then promptly forget about it.
- Feed the little ones breakfast and prepare lunch for the older child.
- Rush the kids out the door.
- First errand: grocery shopping. Now’s the time to whip up a fancy dinner for the family, so they know they’re loved.
- Next, a doctor’s appointment. Why did I schedule this today of all days?
- Return home for baby naps and feedings. Great, lost another 45 minutes.
- Quickly tidy up the house and retrieve the baby, who’s awake again. That nap was way too short.
- Attempt to calm your crying baby. Ah, teething joys.
- You know what? Forget cooking. It’s pizza time.
- Wow, it’s already 4:30 p.m.! Wash and prepare breast pump supplies before picking up the older child.
- Back home at 4:45 p.m., and you’re supposed to leave in 15 minutes. How on earth will I shower and pump?!
- Jump in the shower anyway. Ignore the chaos. Your darling husband can manage for a few minutes, right?
- Get dressed in your cute outfit, completely ignoring the fact that you haven’t pumped yet.
- Pump breast milk in your stylish clothes. How delightful.
- Pizza is ordered, you’re dressed, and makeup will have to happen in the car. Off you go! Your girls’ night out started 15 minutes ago, but it’s a 25-minute drive. No big deal.
- You’re en route! No stress about being late because YOU ARE OUT OF THE HOUSE! Apply mascara at stoplights and give those who stare a cheeky grin.
- Arrive last but beaming. The restaurant is so dimly lit that no one will notice your outfit or makeup. Sigh.
- Chat with the girls over wine for an hour. Time to order food—look at that menu and pick a bunch of interesting dishes.
- An hour passes, and still no food. Mom D is anxious about bedtime, and Moms E and F need to leave soon for a show. Ask the waiter about the delay.
- Food finally arrives! Time to eat quickly.
- Request the bill. It’s already 8:30! Mom G is out due to exhaustion, and Moms D, E, and F have taken their half-eaten meals to go.
- You and Mom H exchange glances, silently asking if it’s time to call it a night. Relief washes over you both as you grab your coats.
- Drive home, anxious about what might have happened while you were out. No updates? What if something went wrong?
- Arrive home to find the older child watching TV, your husband snoozing, and the little ones fast asleep.
- Snuggle each child and gently roll your husband over to stop the snoring. They missed you, and you missed them too.
- Spend 20 minutes trying to scrub off your eye makeup.
- Change into your comfy pajamas that have baby spit-up stains.
- Finally, collapse into bed.
As you can see, arranging a girls’ night out as a mom is surprisingly manageable. It might be easier than childbirth, and definitely worth it just to escape the chaos of home for a little while.
For more tips on pregnancy and family life, check out our other blog posts here. Additionally, if you’re considering family expansion, Make A Mom provides fantastic resources on at-home insemination kits. Also, for excellent information on IVF, visit NHS.