How to Prioritize a Date with Your Spouse When You Have a Newborn

Three months ago, Sam and I welcomed our 6th child. We are just now getting into a new groove as a family of 8. Since we have had to prioritize date nights when having a newborn many times over, I wanted to share how we realistically make this happen. Check out our tips below on how to prioritize a date with your spouse when you have a newborn.

Decide to Have a Date with Your Spouse at Home OR Out

Stay Home OR Go Out? Which will you choose? Alot may have to do with how you are doing in the sleep department. How you are handling your new bundle of joy. Or even the temperament of your baby. Are they laid back and easy going or do they struggle during certain times of the day?

Maybe for the first month you just relax and have some fun dates with your spouse at home. DoorDash your favorite takeout. Make a fun dessert at home and watch a movie. Staying at home and choosing to keep it simple can be a smart move while you are adjusting to a newborn. However, on the flip side a short outing with your spouse when you have a newborn can be fun. Have a picnic at the park. Go out for a coffee and a dessert at your local coffee shop. Shop your local Farmers Market while the baby naps in the stroller.

For us this looks like staying at home the first few weeks. Now when family stops by for a few hours to help with the kids we may sneak out to grab some ice cream or pick up dinner for everyone, but typically we stay home. If we do decide to go out, then we usually take our new baby with us and leave the older kids with the Grandparents. After all these kids, it is just easier for us this way as we know baby’s needs and cues. Also, I do feel guilty leaving the Grandparents with all 6 grandkids for more than a few hours as it can be a bit much… Thanks Dad and Mom for all the free babysitting 🙂

Prioritize Your Date and Plan Ahead

Schedule Child Care if you decide you need it. Plan what you will do. Make those reservations or preorder tickets if that will help you prioritize a date with your spouse when you have a newborn and make it actually happen.

We usually plan a week out what we want to do for our at home dates. This may look like eating a fun dessert and talking about life. Lying in bed after we put the kids to bed and watching some YouTube videos. Or making a fun dinner for just the two of us after the kids are in bed. If we do plan a date out if is probably because we have a wellness visit for the baby and we just tack on a few errands or stop to eat lunch together at a local restaurant.

Have Fun!

Don’t spend your time worrying about your baby if you do decide to leave them in someone else’s care. Enjoy this quality time with your spouse without interruptions because who knows when you will get it again! Just enjoy your time together no matter what it looks like. Whether that be holding hands on the couch, eating popcorn, and watching a movie or venturing out to Target for a stroll around the store as you pick up some items you may need and enjoying a coffee and pastry.

If childcare is not an option for you right now, which was Sam’s and my reality for many years, then check out our post on How to Plan a Date Night with No Help OR Babysitter.

Have more ideas for how to prioritize a date with your spouse when you have a newborn? Please tell us in the comments.