Do you go out at night?

[Visitor7]

We do. We have plenty of family here, and dh and I take advantage of that and go out for dinner, coffee, shopping etc. It works for us, but I understand that it's not for everyone.

[Poppetty]

Not really. DD was 14 or so months when she was first baby sat when we went to a wedding. Over Christmas we stayed with the grandparents and did go out a few times, she was 18 months.

I think if we had family nearby we would likely go out more, but alas we have no family in this state

[Lady-bug]

We go out probably 3 nights a week (out to dinner, a walk, friends place etc) but DS is 17 months and generally doesn't go to bed until about 9pm even if we are home so he is happy to be out and about. Although there is no way we were going out when he was little, I think its just too hard with settling in a different place etc.
Just do whatever you feel comfortable with, your baby, your rules!

[krysalyss]

Your DS is still so young. Our DS is now almost 3 and we are living with my parents at the moment so I know that it is fine to go out once he is asleep as they usually stay home at nights and DS doesn't usually wake up anymore. It gets easier once they get older and have less frequent wake ups.

[Mak]

Nope - and my girls are much bigger! TBH we still have very little sleep and it really does seem like too much effort when you are up 3+ times a night and then the day starts at 5am! Pathetic but that is how it is here - we do try to have date night at home to try and spend some quality time together. Bedtime is often 9pm tho, lol..... I am sure it won't last forever!

[Plinky]

Wow, thanks for all your replies! I'm glad I'm not alone then

Its just my dad and his g/f have invited us for Easter Sunday dinner...and I have told them before that we don't go out at nights, but are happy to have something at our house instead. I think my dad is very much of the opinion that we're making a rod for our own back by letting DS routine affect our lives so much. I just couldn't imagine carting my poor darling the 40 min drive to his house, then not get home till well past his bedtime, what about his bath? where will he sleep there? (if he sleeps at all there) if we wake him to take him home, will he settle as normal into bed once we get home? will he get upset and cranky and tired at my dads?

I just get annoyed that they don't seem to take my wishes seriously, and think I'm being too controlling. Ah well...they said they'd "have a talk" about maybe doing a lunch instead. Don't like my chances tho! We'll see...

[skybie]

we havent been out alone as a couple since DD2 was born. but once a week i go to my BF's house for coffee, usually leave at 730 once the girls are in bed and sometimes dont get home till 1230-1am! hehehe
her house is literally a 2 minute drive so on the odd occaion DD2 wakes up im just around the corner and quickly get home to give her a feed

[Saffi]

I just couldn't imagine carting my poor darling the 40 min drive to his house, then not get home till well past his bedtime, what about his bath? where will he sleep there? (if he sleeps at all there) if we wake him to take him home, will he settle as normal into bed once we get home? will he get upset and cranky and tired at my dads?

Something that works for us when we have dinner at the ILs is we bathe the kids there, give them their bottles and generally they fall asleep in the car on the way home. An upside to this is that the MIL will generally bathe them and its something nice for her to do with them.