Getting Real with Kira Hazledine
Every parent knows that date night can be hard to pin down. First, you have to find the time. Then, you have to find the energy. And most importantly, you need a reliable babysitter. The stars have to practically align for date night to move forward as planned, but if I’m honest, I sometimes ask if it’s really worth the effort.
Don’t get me wrong, I love date night with my husband. At the same time, I’m freaking tired. I don’t really want to go sit at the same restaurants, attend the same movie theater, or walk through the same parks. I’m all for something new and adventurous, but time and money are limited. So, do we go through the same old routine just for the sake of going on a date?
Sometimes, my husband and I do the same-old and genuinely enjoy it. Other times, I can’t be bothered to get dressed, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t want quality time with my husband. The solution? A date night in, not out.
It may seem weird to have the babysitter come over if you have no intentions of leaving, but why not? Lock yourselves in the bedroom, even if you have to make a whole scene of “leaving” for the kids to think you’re gone. Have the babysitter (or helpful family member) corral the kids into the leaving room and give you some private time.
Some of my favorite nights with my husband have looked exactly like this. We’ve asked my parents to watch our toddler while we order in a pizza, snag some ice cream, and just watch a movie uninterrupted. We don’t have to pause for bedtime and we aren’t falling asleep 15 minutes in because we had to wait until our child was asleep.
There was no drive. No wait time for our meal. No getting dressed. I was just chilling in my bed with my husband in my pajamas, eating pizza and ice cream. It really doesn’t get much better.
Do I enjoy nights away, either for the evening or even an overnight hotel stay? Definitely! I think it’s so important to take some time for ourselves and get out of the house. But honestly, I also love our date nights in. I’m too tired for pretenses sometimes, even if that just means wearing a bra.
Date night is as flexible as you want it to be. The important thing is that you and your significant other take time to remember what else is holding your relationship together besides children. Instead of going through the motions, make date night something unique that fits your needs, even if it means staying home.
