Date Night Made Easy

Carving out legitimate alone time with your spouse/partner can be difficult when you have a baby or toddler. And while we can all admit that it's important for our relationship, all the prep and logistics can be a bit overwhelming for parents. Don't feel guilty if you're feeling this way - it is common for new parents to have a hard time leaving baby. So until you're ready to resume date nights out of the house, here is a list of fun ideas for a night in with your love!

Dine In - plan to eat after you get baby to sleep, and cook a meal together!

Fondue - use a double boiler or small crock pot to melt chocolate and dip all the goodies you love like strawberries, marshmallows, Rice Krispy treats, bananas, graham crackers, and Oreos!

Popcorn and a movie - even if you can't stay awake for an entire movie, pop some corn and cuddle up on the couch for a bit!

Memory Lane - bust out those old wedding, honeymoon or days-gone-by photos and reminisce together.

Get Organized - somewhat nerdy but I love when my husband and I sit down with our calendars and make sure we are on the same page about upcoming plans, work and events.

Dance - who doesn't love a slow dance? Turn any space into a dance floor with the right mood lighting.

Massage - this one is pretty obvious but partner massage is a great way to relieve stress and share positive energy.

Bath Time - for some real romance, light candles, add bubbles, hit the lights and relax! Last but not least - enjoy a real conversation together. It'll likely drift to baby- related topics, but try to focus on other things for this one night: hopes and dreams, fears, struggles, politics, and what your thankful for. Confused about how to fully enjoy this time while not worrying too much about a sleeping baby? A video monitor might help! It allows you to hear and see - great for families that bed-share and want to make sure no one has rolled/climbed off the bed!