Parents social life

DD's schedule is basically going down to sleep for the night anywhere between 730 and 8 which kind of kills our night of being able to go out to dinner with friends...how do you combat this besides getting a babysitter or parents coming to watch her, we can't have our parents come EVERY weekend to watch her bc I feel badly for them, and we don't have a babysitter as of yet...so do we take her with us and let her sleep in the car seat, which I just don't see that working and making for an awful night for us..any tips ?

Re: Parents social life

It depends on the child. My children were very movable & could sleep anywhere when they were babies. So for me, sleeping in the carseat worked out fine.

It's not an ideal sleep habit but a couple of times a month isn't going to ruin your child's sleeping in the long run.

Re: Parents social life

We actually have taken DS everywhere since he was about 3 weeks old.

We generally go to places with other kids, and with other families.

If we want a night out by ourselves (which is rare b/c DH works nights and his schedule rotates) then my parents babysit, but it doesn't happen often.

My DS loves going honestly, and I love when he sleeps in on a Sunday b/c we had him out late the night before

Re: Parents social life

What is this thing called a social life that you speak of?

Re: Parents social life

Posted by randella

What is this thing called a social life that you speak of?

Re: Parents social life

We stay home.

Re: Parents social life

Posted by pickles16

Posted by randella

What is this thing called a social life that you speak of?

thats the way Im starting to feel...I'm soooo terrified to have her sleep in the car seat which she will do, but then to put her to bed when we get home is what I think the nightmare will be..

Re: Parents social life

Hmmm, parents njeed a social life? Besides going to playdates and such?
Kidding of course.

You can try taking DC out with you, but this would not work with my son. And honestly, I think you'll have a lot more fun if you don't have DC with you.

We stay home a lot. I think our last date was in February (we have a babysitter, but it gets $$$). Ask friends to come to your house (not exciting, but you can see them). Go out separately with your friends and take turns. DH and I do this sometimes--it's too bad to not go out together, but honestly, I enjoy having a break sometimes.

But start looking for a babysitter also. DH and you need some time alone.

Re: Parents social life

I can never do ANYTHING b/c DD will never sleep anywhere but her crib. And she will scream until she gets there. I have zero social life. And I cant go anywhere any longer then an hour. Really Im beginning to loose it.

Re: Parents social life

We take DS out with us a lot. He sleeps pretty well in the car seat and usually doesn't wake up.

Re: Parents social life

Posted by randella

Posted by pickles16

Posted by randella

What is this thing called a social life that you speak of?

thats the way Im starting to feel...I'm soooo terrified to have her sleep in the car seat which she will do, but then to put her to bed when we get home is what I think the nightmare will be..

this is exactly why I need local mom friends, where our DH's can get along. You just go over to each other's houses-- the kids sleep in the other room, and you go through multiple bottles of wine!

Probably after you transfer Chelsea, you can calm her down with a bottle.

I would also try to just plan one night a month where you know each set of grandparents can babysit-- and those are your nights to make plans. WHen we go out, or used to-- we never met anyone before 8 usually.

...

Re: Parents social life

When DD was an infant/baby and we would go to someones house or dinner at a restaurant we would take her with us. Within reason ofcourse.. if she didnt end up falling asleep at her normal time and was fussing a lot we would leave.

I also started having people over our house more, I prefer that any time really. Its a little more work cleaning up but DD's safe and sound in her bed and has everything she needs

Re: Parents social life

I think a lot of our social outings will be at ppl's homes. We've mostly been hosting guests at our place.

If we do go out, DH and I have been taking turns going out. DH will go out to play tennis or golf with friends. I have plans with my best friend this weekend. We still have a lot of single friends who aren't married/have kids yet so we still hang out with them alone without one another. It isn't like I'd want to bring DH out for a girlfriend brunch or spa.

Re: Parents social life

Until DD was about a year (in the convertible carseat) we took her everywhere with us. She would sleep in her carrier, or we'd bring the co-sleeper if we were going to someone's house.

We also invited people over frequently.

Re: Parents social life

I'm bad, we've gone out for the past 2 Saturdays and I feel so guilty!!! My parents live 5 minutes away and always offer to watch DS.

Re: Parents social life

jenn why arent we getting the hubbys and babies together at the same time? duh!

Re: Parents social life

When DS #1 was small I do remember taking him in the car seat where he would sleep while we ate

Now I usually have sitters come to my house if we go out....however i am so tired with 2 kids I cant even think of it

Re: Parents social life

Re: Parents social life

you gotta find a babysitter silly!! But if i were you, i would find one to come AFTER shes sleeping..
my in laws and my mother generally watch Mila, but with my inlaws i will wait until shes asleep before i leave, but my mother can usually do it..
we only get to do this about 2-3 times a month, closer to the 2 times..

Re: Parents social life

Posted by randella

What is this thing called a social life that you speak of?

Re: Parents social life

Posted by EJsMomma

Posted by randella

What is this thing called a social life that you speak of?

DITTO! DH has gone out a few times, but not me Unless you count going out to eat, where I inevitably end up holding DS and eating with one hand...and I wonder why my childless friends stopped calling me LOL.

Re: Parents social life

I guess I am in the minority, because I still go out at least once a week...we have a reliable babysitter we use, but we also use my parents and ILs. We usually go out to dinners (tomorrow we are going into the city for a dinner), but last weekend we went to SIL's 30th birthday party...there is always something fun going on, and it's very important for me to have a social life separate from DD.

Re: Parents social life

we bring DS everywhere we go. For instance, this weekend he'll be out at 7pm-on Friday & Saturday night (we have two parties). He eats at 7PM (so we'll feed him there) and sleeps at 8-9pmish so we'll put him in the stroller in a corner. I think bring your baby out and about at all hours will make they accomodate to any situation a lot easier. JMO.

Re: Parents social life

If shes able to sleep in carseat, how about bringing her to someones house and they can have her sleed in that until you pick her up.

Re: Parents social life

We're in the process of finding a babysitter. I think it's VERY important for DH and I to have time apart from the baby for a few hours every now and then. Time for "dates" for ourselves and to go to dinner with our friends. It would not be okay to bring DD to most of these dinners as this group of friends we usually meet late (8pm or later) and go to restaurants that really are not kid friendly. We do take her out with us now but we go to family type restaurants.