It's funny that as a parent date night is something that has to get scheduled. Kelly and I used to be free. We could decide to go do whatever we wanted. Want to go for sushi? Sure! Maybe we should go to a movie now? Sure!
Gone.
Now the date night has to be planned. I'm not the best for scheduling my "free time" so date night wasn't happening as frequently as it should. I recognized that fact and I book them now. I don't head out very often anymore so I typically have to go with a few recommendations on the best places to take my date.
Lots of planning has to go into date night for parents. Firstly, what are we going to do with the kids? If your lucky, and their Grandparents adore them, they are a great option. My kids love going there, and my parents love having them so it works. If they aren't around or willing though?
I have seen parents get creative with their kids. Hey little Johnny...when was the last time you slept over at your friend Tommy's place? Maybe you could see if a sleepover is good for Friday? An Aunt or Uncle with no other responsibilities is definitely worth considering as well. In this case, you must assume, and be ok with the fact, that they may eat ice cream for supper and whatever bedtime you had in mind does not exist.
Of course, the evening itself isn't the only consideration when it comes to parents date night. What about the morning? Does Emma have a 0600 hockey practice? Is little Johnny supposed to be at his rehearsal by 0830? Now, hiring a sitter to come into your own house enters the equation. You may need to pay someone to let your kids eat too many treats and miss their bedtime while the individual scrolls on their phone. That means, no drinks and coming home in a taxi unless that taxi is carrying on to drop the sitter off as well.
Add to the whole complication of driving the sitter home is the Golden Time that exists before your partner who thoroughly enjoyed the evening falls asleep while you are gone thus eliminating any romance build up the evening may have developed. A good strategy here is to phone your date immediately after dropping off the sitter to talk all the way to the driveway. Bless the creator of mobile phones.
Then there is actual date night. Gone is the spontaneous freedom of just going somewhere you feel like going when the moment strikes. This has to be scheduled, and if not, you may find yourself driving around aimlessly with the discussion that goes "What do you feel like having?". "Whatever, I'm not fussy". "How about Italian?". "No, I went there for lunch last week". That discussion can go on and on and on until you are sitting in subway talking about the kids report cards. Make the reservation ahead of time. Text it to your date well ahead of the night. This solves where you are going, what the dress code is, and takes the last minute decision out. If you are really worried you may not want to go to the restaurant you booked, book two reservations and cancel one.
Yes, Date Night takes some planning but it is worth it. Having some time with just the two OG's makes the bedrock solid. It's date night for us tonight...gotta go shine my sneakers.