The Truth About Date Night As A Mom

I’m sharing #Luvs in my life as part of a LUVs sponsored series for Socialstars™

Picture it, a date night 4 years ago…

An impromptu night on the town. Dinner with friends, a late night comedy show and a fun night of dancing. Back then, prepping for a night out seemed tedious. What to wear? The right makeup look, the most fabulous but somehow comfortable shoes and hopefully being only a little fashionable late. Sounds about right for a young thirty-something without kids. Fast forward to today and here is what date night looks like as a wife and mom of two toddlers. 

Date Night Truths

Date night prep hasn’t changed much for dad. Just saying! 

Impromptu nights on the town are pretty much a thing of the past. Ummm hello, two toddlers. You and the hubs pick a date probably about a month out and then you work on your babysitter selection. Lucky for us we have grandmothers, aunts and college age nieces in their twenties (who need extra cash) to choose from. But there is still tons of coordination to be considered. Grandma is usually the go-to babysitter with an aunt or niece as an extra pair of hands. Yes, two babysitters are always better than one when it comes to toddlers. At least for us. 

Outfit choices: Narrowed down to what actually fits or a quick shopping trip is in order and since you rarely ever spend a dime on yourself, you don’t feel guilty at all. 

Makeup: I’m so glad barely there looks with a pop of color on the lips is a thing. This mama doesn’t have time patience for a full-on runway level face. 

Shoes: The more comfortable the better. And flats are always in the car. Always! 

But the real date night truths…

Confirm with your Babysitter!

This one is so important, it is worth repeating. Confirm with your babysitter at least once each week leading up to date night. Have your backup on standby just in case your sitter bails. 

Toddler Prep

Mom guilt will make you give baths, attempt to feed dinner at 3pm and have them in the bed by 5 but that’s just not going to work so you give baths (or not), prep dinner (or not), snacks (a must) and hope for the best. 

Double check the emergency numbers list and make sure all cabinets are locked. 

Stock a weekend bag worth of supplies: 

Clothes

The favorite night clothes (times 2) for the threenager. Plus extra underwear because sometimes she forgets she is potty trained. Again, the 1-year-old could care less but you leave out an extra set of nightclothes for the messes he will most likely make. 

Diapers

Where are the Luvs? Got them! You leave a week’s worth out. Yes, one week’s worth because hello teething and random blowouts. And because grandma WILL give him something not on the approved list leading to a blowout. Another reason why? The kid is a runner. A diaper may not survive the change on the first try making Luvs our preferred diaper because they’re great for the diaper change wars and the price is right. Don’t forget the wipes, butt cream, and a favorite toy to hopefully keep the little guy still. I’m two kids so I know these things. 

Cups, cups and more…

The three-year-old is super specific about which cup she uses these days so you leave out the current favorite and a backup. And don’t forget the favorite plate, fork, spoon and a whole box of straws because you just don’t know what she will want today. Sigh. Lucky for me or you (grandma) the 1-year-old is pretty chill and will drink from anything. But don’t try to serve milk in a cup. Nope, bottle it is. 

Snacks

It’s post dinner but you know grandma (or probably any sitter) will give snacks so you leave out some healthy options and once again hope for the best. 

Favorite Things 

Books, blankies, trucks, dolls, paper, crayons and a cardboard box. That should cover a little something for everyone. 

Wait this is date night, right? 

Truth: You will have a good time, you will call or text home, you will survive, the kids will survive and your babysitter(s) will survive too. But just like this commercial, let go of all the worry and mom guilt, have fun and Live, Learn and Get Luvs!