When you’re a parent, finding the time to escape for a romantic evening can feel nearly impossible. Between worrying about getting the little one to sleep and the challenge of locating a trustworthy babysitter, it’s easy to see why many couples opt for a cozy night in. Plus, let’s be honest—sometimes, putting on actual pants feels like a chore!
I firmly believe in carving out weekly date nights for my partner and me, and some of our most cherished evenings have been spent with a good movie, takeout, and a glass of reasonably priced wine. If you’re looking to create a similar experience, I’ve compiled a playful and detailed list to help you achieve a memorable night in with your significant other.
- Ensure your child gets adequate daytime naps to set the stage for a peaceful evening.
- Prepare a bucket of ice in advance to avoid any post-bedtime ice machine drama.
- Aim to get the baby settled down on time.
- If you’re cooking dinner:
- Try to minimize noise with pots and pans.
- Beat the oven timer to avoid the loud beep that disrupts the calm.
- If you’re opting for takeout:
- Option 1: Have your partner place the order while you handle bedtime.
- Option 2: Call for delivery as soon as the baby is down. Don’t forget to take the dog outside or distract him to prevent barking!
- Enjoy your meal quickly; kids have a sixth sense for when you’re trying to enjoy a warm dish.
- Choose a movie together.
- Spend the next 45 minutes browsing Netflix.
- Spend another 15 minutes sifting through your personal movie collection.
- Decide on that trending film you saw while scrolling through Netflix.
- Suddenly, the baby is awake! Play rock, paper, scissors to see who will handle it.
- After a couple of lullabies and a good rock, the baby is back asleep.
- Carefully lay the baby down without waking them up.
- Sneak out of the nursery.
- Notice how creaky your floor is.
- Realize your ankles crack too much; make a mental note to ask a doctor about that.
- Settle in to watch the movie.
- Crave popcorn but weigh the risk of waking the baby.
- Go for it and pop the popcorn anyway!
- Pour yourselves generous glasses of wine.
- Sit back down, ready for the film.
- Your dog is now eyeing you for some popcorn.
- The baby stirs on the monitor.
- Tempt the dog with popcorn and prepare to enjoy the movie.
- Pause to remember you’re watching a movie with loud explosions.
- The baby is awake! Pause the film again and decide who will soothe them back to sleep. Wait, never mind—he’s put himself back to sleep!
- Since the movie is paused, take a quick bathroom break.
- Back to that creaky floor!
- The baby is truly awake this time. One lullaby and 10 minutes of gentle rocking later, he’s asleep again.
- Repeat steps 13 to 16.
- Finally, sit down to finish the movie.
- Debate whether to stay up and enjoy each other’s company or hit the hay.
- Admire your sleeping baby on the monitor together; it’s a beautiful sight.
- Choose to linger a bit longer with another glass of wine. After all, the baby will wake up again soon anyway.
And there you have it—a light-hearted yet practical 34-step guide to crafting a memorable date night at home. If you’re interested in learning about family-building options, check out Resolve, an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. For more insights, visit Home Insemination Kit and explore Cryobaby for authoritative information on home insemination.
Summary
Creating a memorable date night at home is achievable with a little planning and creativity. From ensuring your child sleeps well to enjoying a cozy movie night with popcorn and wine, this guide offers a fun roadmap for parents looking to rekindle their romance without leaving home.