Before children, we used to date each other a lot. We had endless date night ideas. We went on a 5* holiday to Mexico, had numerous hotel stays. Nights out and shopping trips were a regular occurrence.

We would regularly go out for Friday happy hour and I would leave my work colleagues to go ‘date’ my now hubby. I classed it as being more important. We would order bottles of wine in a fancy wine bar, along with tapas. Sometimes I would go get my hair done first. Wonderful memories.

We had fun. I have no regrets about the lack of social interactions we have now.

Undoubtedly life has now dramatically changed. We have to be a little more creative with our date night ideas. There is no avoiding the fact we can’t just go out when we want to. Even on days off, we have nursery pick-ups to sort out, and responsibilities that come along with looking after a toddler.

Because we both lived life to the fullest at University, then together, we have no regrets. There isn’t a single day I’m resentful for the life I have now. It’s just another amazing chapter, which is different from the social life we had before.

Whatever life throws at us, it is important to fit in some time to still date each other. Anyone who’s experienced the full force of a toddler will know you can’t even have an adult conversation in their presence. They get angry at not being acknowledged. And sometimes this could mean toys being thrown at you. A ‘date’ for us could be as insignificant as an hour-long conversation, without ‘toddler’ interruptions.

Here is a rundown of the practical alone time we’ve managed to fit into our hectic schedule recently:

Walking 

We love walking, but with a toddler, we are limited as to the walks we can go on until she is a little bit older. 

On a recent rare weekday together, when she was at nursery, we walked together and it was lovely. Just the two of us, talking, taking pictures, and saying hello to the other walkers. Because it was a weekday, it was fairly quiet and we had a beautiful landscape with bluebells and a lovely river all to ourselves.

We did this walk when I was newly off work following my breakdown and it helped me. I still look back at the pictures and think I’ve come a long way since then. During the walk, I thought I would never feel better again.  

Watching films 

The perfect date night idea. We can now only do this when we have a night together, without a toddler running around. Because we can, we usually end watching a three-hour film.

For me it has to be epic, otherwise, I am wasting my time. I am very picky when selecting films.

Who knows, we might even make it to a cinema soon!

Wandering around the supermarket 

It may sound simple, but wandering around a supermarket, a shop, walking with a coffee, is amazing when you don’t have to chase after a toddler or carry three large bags of supplies around with you.

There is also the element of doing something for ourselves. When we visit a shop as a twosome, we might purchase an item of clothing for ourselves, a scented candle. Instead of thinking about buying for the little one.

We get time to just be adults, which is very important to being a successful parent.

Going for a coffee

The ultimate date night idea. COFFEE DATE!

We recently popped into a brand new Starbucks drive-through and sat outside in the sunshine with a lovely coffee together, before a nursery pickup. 

It was amazing, to have time to chat and be still for a while. Nowhere to be and not a care in the world. we all need this!

A drive to nowhere

Sitting in the car admiring the view, listening to music, letting the world go by. I talk more about our love of driving aimlessly in the car in this post, Want to have fun on a budget? Need to entertain the kids? Follow my 10 easy steps…

Jump in the car and see where it takes you! The benefit of doing this without a toddler, is loud music, car chatter and not thinking about nappy changes, potential car sick of retrieving the dummy which as just thrown on the floor!

Final thoughts

Do you have any creative date night ideas? I would love to know in the comments below.

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