Becoming parents is lovely, but it can often leave very little time for each other. Between the sleepless nights, the diaper changes, trying to go back to work, and being responsible for other kids, it’s very easy for date nights to take a back seat.
If you don’t have a village around you for a babysitter, that’s all the more difficult. However, nurturing your relationship as a couple is essential for your well-being and the overall happiness of your family because you still have to remember that before you became parents, you were people first. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy some quality time together. So here are some fun and simple ways that you can have a date night for mum and dad.
Date Night Ideas:
- Have your own movie night. You can add a twist to movie night by ordering in a pizza or popping some homemade popcorn and adding toppings. You can make homemade nachos or other fun desserts to go with the theme of the movie. A lot of people like to follow the Disney movie menu where you eat food that is based on the movie you’re watching. For example, Lady and the Tramp becomes spaghetti and Meatball night. Obviously, not many couples want to sit and watch a Disney movie, but it’s a nice way to spend some time together.
- Have a cook off. You can turn your kitchen into a mini cooking competition if you can stand to cook next to each other. Draw recipes from a hat and don’t tell the other what you’re cooking so that when you swap meals they can eat what you made and you can eat what they made. Not only will you get something delicious at the end, but there’ll be plenty of giggles happening as you navigate the kitchen together.
- Host a two-player game night. Scrabble, chess, Uno, you name it. You could even get a virtual escape room involved. Playing games can ignite your playful side that you may have lost along the way. You can even make things more interesting by having prizes for the winner. Or you can make them spicy because… you know.
- Have a nighttime picnic. When was the last time you went up into the backyard and stayed up at the stars in the night sky? Grab a blanket, some snacks, and head out to your backyard or a nearby park for some stargazing. You can even download a stargazing app on your phone so you can identify the constellations that you’re looking at. You might see planets or shooting stars, but you get to stare into the abyss and reconnect with nature and each other at the same time.
- Have your very own spa night. Recreating a spa experience at home can be fun. Lighting candles, playing soothing music, and giving each other massages or facials makes for a great night in. You can make homemade face masks with ingredients that you find in the pantry, such as yoghurt, honey or avocado. You could even enjoy a warm foot soak if you’ve got a bucket big enough.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.