Many of the Austin parents I work with admit to getting stuck regarding date night ideas. Date nights can come few and far between with a newborn. But they don’t have to! I’m convinced that the reason dates can be so hard with a baby is that it’s hard to think outside of the box. 

So, here are a few ideas for dates that your newborn can tag along on. 

Take Baby To The Museum!

So, a romantic night at Garrison in downtown Austin might be out with a tiny human in tow. But that doesn’t mean that Austin parents should skip out on bringing their munchkin out to see the sights. I highly recommend museums for parents because they offer parent-friendly perks. Most museums have family restrooms for nursing and diaper changes. They have ramps, which make them great for strollers. And, honestly, I’ve never been to a museum where a baby (or kid) having a meltdown got met with a stink eye.

Plus, as your kid gets older, museums like the Austin Nature & Science Center have exhibits designed for small children. Get them excited about history, science, and art from a young age while spending some time together!

Play A Game With Your Significant Other

Board games are seriously underrated when it comes to keeping adults entertained. A simple board game is a great way to keep an eye on your little one while you indulge in loving rivalry with your partner. Tired of the same old? Here are some new games getting great reviews*:

• Ecologies
• Parks Board Game
• Fox In The Forest
• A Little Wordy
• Azul

* A note: I do not get a commission if you buy these games! I just like them. 

Indoor Charcuterie Board

Are you missing the fancy life? Make it at home. Hosting a charcuterie board date night in your own house is a step up from dinner and a movie in your house. Light some candles, put on a moody soundtrack, and create a romantic but soothing atmosphere for all involved.

To make the perfect charcuterie board, you want to mix carbohydrates, protein, fruits, and wine (or a sparkling non-alcoholic beverage!). You can find essential charcuterie ingredients at most stores, but if you want really fancy ingredients, head to a co-op.

Some good items to include on a charcuterie board:

• Beverages: A red and white wine of your choice, a sparkling non-alcoholic cider, Topo Chico or La Croix
• Fruits: Grapes, Figs, Blueberries, Strawberries, Dates
• Preserved Vegetables: Cornichons, pickled peppers, olives, capers
• Nuts: Cashews, pistachios, almonds, salted walnuts
• Cured Meats & Meat Alternatives: Salami, Pastrami, Prosciutto, Smoked Salmon, Smoked Tofu, Plant-based deli meat
• Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Bleu, gouda, gruyere, manchego, marscarpone, fresh mozzarella
• Carbs: Crackers and Baguettes
• Jams & Jellies

Newborn Photography Session For Austin Parents

Want to include your little one in your date night actively? Set up a newborn photography session. 

Working with a professional Austin photographer specializing in newborn photos means you get to get out of the house, treat yourself to unique photos, and let someone else handle your baby for a little bit! Always look for a trained photographer (like me) who specializes in newborn baby photo safety and has experience with very small subjects.

Austin Parents Couples’ Massage

I’m not talking about going out for a massage. 

That’s right. One night when junior is down for the night (hopefully), spend some time relaxing and getting intimate by giving each other deep muscle massages. Often, new parents are so tired they forget to show tokens of affection, and nothing is more affectionate than helping your partner work their tired muscles out! 

You can do this in passing a few times a week while you watch TV, or, if you want to make an extraordinary date of it, you can mix up your own massage oils using a carrier oil like jojoba and add your favorite essential oil smells to it. Soothing smells include lavender, ylang-ylang, geranium, frankincense, bergamot, and peppermint. Put on relaxing music, lay down some towels (massage oil can be messy), and start working out the knots that come as a rite of passage through parenthood.

Getting To Know You (Again)

Sometimes, the best thing we can do to connect is to engage in conversation.

So much of new parenthood is spent keeping quiet or talking to our newborns that we forget to talk to our partners. If you aren’t already doing so, make it a point to talk to one another about each other’s days. For date nights, you can take this a step further. 

Use a game like “talking points” to chat about topics that excite and inspire you. Ask each others’ opinions. Tell each other jokes. Talk about plans. You might just find this brings you closer together and deepens your love of each other and your newest family member.

 

I’m so excited to hear about your new parenthood journey! Want to schedule a maternity session or an Austin newborn photoshoot? Let’s do it!