We talk about it as moms all the time, and our friends likely warned us about it before we had kids of our own. Your relationship with your partner will probably struggle in the months and years after you grow your family by adding a child. And yes, the day-to-day grind of raising small humans can be exhausting and seemingly all-consuming of your energy. So, your connection with your partner gets put on a back burner, assuming this season of life will pass and someday you’ll be able to pick up where you left off with your Number One.
The truth is that this is not just a season.
There is no finish line with raising kids and this isn’t just a stage you must power through. You and your partner have committed to at least 18 years of raising children and, even if you have a strong foundation, your relationship cannot be ignored for that long. This same truth applies to your own self-care and your friendships and other important relationships.
So How Do You Prioritize Time Together?
Planning a grand date night out isn’t always reasonable. Budgets can be tight and sitters are difficult to find. Plus you might feel stretched thin enough with all the responsibility of parenting and work that the idea of a big romantic evening can be daunting.
But trust me, if you can shift your thinking from date nights being lots of work to focusing on simple connection and spending time with one another, you will definitely reap the rewards of the effort. It’s time that you take back date night by putting your own personal spin on it. It is absolutely possible to plan something that accounts for your schedule, budget, and interests.
Here are ten New Orleans area date ideas from an online therapist to kickstart one-on-one time with your partner. There are even low-cost creative ideas that don’t require a sitter!
Get out in nature.
From a walk through the Couterie Forest to a picnic in Audubon Park, New Orleans is full of beautiful outdoor spaces begging to be explored. Take a drive to the Jean Lafitte Historic Park and Preserve. You don’t even need to pay for an airboat tour to see Louisiana wildlife at its finest. It’s easy to plan an active excursion in the NOLA area, just be sure to remember the sunscreen and bug spray!
Visit Algiers Point.
It’s a neighborhood you’re probably familiar with but there’s a certain romance to taking the ferry across the Mississippi to explore Algiers Point. Whether you check out the local coffee shops and restaurants or opt to kick off your shoes and chill out on the small, sandy beach, you’re sure to enjoy your time together on the east end of the West Bank.
Explore the French Quarter.
When you aren’t a tourist of New Orleans, getting down to the French Quarter can feel like an excursion in itself. I mostly tried to avoid the area as a local but there is a certain charm in exploring the small shops, restaurants, and music venues along Bourbon and Royal Streets. While there’s an abundance of great music in the Quarter, a favorite spot, Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub, is the oldest operating jazz venue in all of New Orleans and worth a visit. It’s a great place to start or finish a date night with your sweetie.
Visit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and Bar, housed in one of the oldest surviving structures in New Orleans. It’s a National Historic Landmark so you can check that off your Crescent City Bingo card with a quick stop for a Hurricane made with fresh fruit juices. Since there’s no electricity in the building after dark, it’s lit with candles creating the perfect romantic backdrop to reconnect with your partner.
Check out Local Landmarks.
Travel back in time with a visit to one of the many plantations that dapple the banks of the Mississippi River. Whether you opt for a full tour or simply walk the grounds under grand oak trees, this is a date that cannot be missed. Revel in the history of the region and stop at a roadside café to enjoy local eats alongside a recap conversation with your partners about all you experienced along the way.
Hit the water.
Whether you opt to paddle a swan boat in City Park or take a kayak out on Bayou St. John, the excitement and sense of adventure you get being on the water is immeasurable. Working together with your partner to maneuver a boat can be a fun and challenging exercise. Be sure to bring along snacks or a picnic to share because boating can work up an appetite.
Plan a Brunch Date.
If you want a Bloody Mary bar, bottomless mimosas, live music, or the most creative takes on Southern breakfast favorites, you can find it in New Orleans. Brunch is a fun excuse to savor a morning together. This is a fun option for a weekday morning when you can both take a little time off work or can swing an early and long lunch break. It’s just as fun to make each other your brunch favorites at home together to save on cash.
Get Crafty Together.
New Orleans is full of opportunity to get creative. Is there a medium you or your sweetie have always wanted to learn? Everything from gardening to painting to home repair classes are available in the area. The internet has lots of tutorials for novice or skilled artists alike so you can get your fix at home without spending a penny. Check local studios or even the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts for classes and learn something new together.
Plan a Date Night at Home.
When babysitting isn’t an option, consider a themed date night in your own home. You can choose a theme and create fun activities at home around it. For example, you might have a camp-out dinner on your living room floor complete with s’mores over stovetop or in the microwave. Then head outside and watch the stars together and tell spooky stories to make each other laugh. Even easier, you could order dinner delivery once the kids are in bed, light some candles and listen to your favorite music.
Consider a Day Date.
A day date can be as simple as planning a lunch date or, if possible, take some time off work to spend the day together. Visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the Ogden Museum, or Audubon Zoo or Aquarium is a very different experience without kids and can rekindle a sense of carefree fun that reminds you what you love about one another.
Take the Streetcar
Hands down there is nothing more romantic than a ride on the streetcar together. Find a yummy restaurant serving up local favorites or seasonal crawfish and hop the streetcar to get there. There’s nothing quite like riding along the line with the breeze and fresh air of the South whispering through the open windows.
Whether date night only happens once a month or you can make room for more connection time, the most important thing is that you do it. Prioritize your partner just as you do all the other responsibilities in your life.
Spend time remembering what brought you together and appreciating your partner. Leave conversations about family and work out of your time together for these dates so you can rekindle your shared interests that may have been laying dormant for too long.
Finally, Remember Not to Hype Up the Date Too Much.
You both are likely already shouldering more than enough pressure and responsibility so take a breath and remember this date doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, some of the most fun and memorable moments come when things don’t go as planned. Try to relax and don’t stress about wearing the right thing or having the perfect hair. Simply plan to do something you love together and let go of the idea of how a date night “should” go.
The goal is to grow together in this parenting journey, stronger and with a sense of shared accomplishment and deepened love and respect. That can only happen if you prioritize one another every step of the way.
Begin Working with An Online Therapist in Louisiana, Florida, hawaii, and Colorado
Going on a date with your partner can help reignite the flame of your relationship. I hope these ideas I’ve offered can help you deepen your connection. I’m happy to offer support for couples in Louisiana, Florida, Hawaii, and Colorado. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation via phone or video
Start helping your child cope in a healthy way.
Other Services Offered with Ashley Clark Comegys
I’m happy to offer a number of online therapy services across Louisiana, Florida, Hawaii, and Colorado because I know that you may experience more than one mental health concern. This is why I’m happy to also offer online postpartum depression treatment, online postpartum support, and online depression treatment. I’m also happy to offer online grief counseling for women, anxiety treatment, and online trauma treatment for women. Visit my blog or about page to learn more today!