05 Jun

Datenight Babysitting believes in privacy for your family

When you’re looking for a babysitter – would you post a picture of yourself and your family in a public forum online describing your kids, their ages, their likes and dislikes? Would you post the exact times that you are looking for a babysitter for anyone to see?

No? You might think that you wouldn’t – but if you’re using one of a handful of non-supervised babysitting connection sites out there – you might already be doing it. Many babysitting matching sites – the ones that don’t pre-interview babysitters, and can’t guarantee that anyone on the other end is real or even remotely qualified to look after children – grow by posting user listings online. They use your family pictures on Kijiji and Craigslist and Indeed as content, and they email blast out profiles to thousands of unverified email addresses – with the hopes of generating a lead.

Did you know that you consented to this? We didn’t think so.

Datenight Babysitting doesn’t do that.

Here at Datenight Babysitting – we may be growing more slowly than other companies in the tech for childcare space. But we’re doing it intentionally – because connecting parents with great candidates for babysitting is an important job.

Here’s what we’ve always considered when building our a platform:

Parents should be connected to Real People:

There aren’t tens of thousands of maybe-babysitters on the Datenight Platform. Every babysitter on the Datenight platform is a real person. They provide real references, for real humans. When you meet a babysitter on the platform who has babysat 30 times for 5 different families – they have. It’s verified. When you meet a babysitter who is new to the platform – you know, we’re very clear about it.

Parents want to keep family information Private:

Datenight Babysitting doesn’t know the birthdates of your children. We don’t know their names, either. We have never asked you to sign in with Facebook. Why? Because we looked into it years ago – and being able to download ALL of your facebook post information (which is what you could do at the time!) – seemed wrong. So we didn’t do it.

Babysitters deserve privacy, too

Parents shouldn’t be able to browse a list of young people’s pictures to select someone for a job. At Datenight, parents request an interview based on babysitter experience – and then meet them. This cuts down on a lot of problems that other platforms have about the types of users who register.

We don’t sell your information

Have you ever wondered why there’s a ~$10 monthly membership fee for Datenight Babysitting? It’s because we don’t sell your data. There’s a saying out there – that if you’re not paying for the service – you’re not the customer – you’re the product. We don’t think that way. We want to build an actual business that has value – and we are doing it without betraying our customers – you.

In the 5 years since Datenight Babysitting launched in Toronto – we’ve helped parents book over 50,000 hours of childcare. We’ve helped parents to take courses, launch businesses and care for loved ones when they’re stuck in a pinch. We haven’t raised masses of capital and we haven’t sold out our users – we’re working to build a fair, locally-based, sustainable business – one membership and transaction fee at a time. It’s hard – especially since we don’t sneakily blast out family profiles to unverified users, using their content as mass advertising. But building technology for families is important work, and we believe that we’re doing it the right way – the way that has the interests of our users at heart.

26 Jun

Datenight Babysitting on HELM

You can now find Datenight Babysitting on the HELM app!

What is the HELM app? It’s our next venture into the world of “famtech”, and our solution to some of the emotional labour that parents face on a daily basis.

Our very first solution was Datenight Babysitting—an easy, fast and convenient way to meet, book and pay babysitters. If you’re a parent, you understand this can be a major source of emotional labour, but it’s only one of the many challenges we face on a regular basis. What if your child is sick and you need a doctor to come to the house? Or you need to book a summer camp for the third week of July—one that’s in your area and aligns with your child’s interests? Or your child wants to take a ballet class, but the only evening you can swing is Tuesdays and you don’t want to travel across the city to get there?

We have the solutions to these challenges and more in our new HELM app! Now, in addition to having access to our roster of babysitters, you have connections to local activities, camps, classes, and home doctor visits.

HELM helps to ease the daily organizational struggles you face, leaving you more time to enjoy the people you love most!
Follow us on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook to help us get the word out and to see some of the exciting offers we have for you!

07 Jun

How Many Babysitters Should I Add to My Roster?

We generally recommend having a minimum of three babysitters on your roster, but in some cases we recommend even more, depending on how often you need a sitter.

Many parents assume they will meet one babysitter who is always available when they need them, and who will remain their babysitter as their family grows. While this is an ideal situation, it often doesn’t work out that way.

Babysitters are busy, too! They have weekends away, long-term vacations, parties to attend; and as they get older, they may stop babysitting when they have children of their own.

That’s why we suggest building a roster of babysitters your family loves—it’s the best way to ensure having great childcare coverage when you need it.

And when you are a Datenight Babysitting Member, you have access to our entire roster of babysitters! This means that if none of your added babysitters are available, you can send a request to the other babysitters on our roster—so you are always covered for the dates you need!

Never say “no” to an event again. Meet some great babysitters today!

22 May

Childcare Support for Women Entrepreneurs!

We are very excited to announce that we have been chosen as one of three recipients of the Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Grant from the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship (BII+E) at Ryerson University!

Through this program – known as the Childcare Support Pilot for Women Entrepreneurs – we will provide reliable, flexible and accessible childcare to women over the next 14 months. This will allow women entrepreneurs to attend networking meetings, trade shows, sales meetings, accelerators and last-minute grant application opportunities — all important aspects of growing a business that can be a challenge for entrepreneurial moms.

Datenight Babysitting currently provides childcare for a number of women entrepreneurs. Jana Reid, founder of children’s clothing company, Modern Rascals, says that without the support from Datenight Babysitting, she would not have been able to achieve 100% growth in her business over the last year. “I started my business during my second maternity leave. I needed part-time and flexible care for my youngest, which is impossible to find, even in a big city like Toronto — and that’s where Datenight came in,” Reid says. “I’ve had a regular daytime babysitter for the last 18 months, and it’s allowed me to have focused work time.”

If you or anybody you know could benefit from this program, please email Meaghan at [email protected] for more information!

This post was brought to you by Datenight Babysitting — Toronto’s leading mobile app connecting parents with experienced, local babysitters — with thousands of dates booked in the GTA.

28 Feb

Datenight on Dragons’ Den

Mark your calendars for March 15th at 8:00pm because Datenight Babysitting will be on Dragons’ Den on CBC!

It was a bit of a process — in March 2017, Datenight Babysitting auditioned just to get the chance to pitch on Dragons’ Den. After passing the audition, we were scheduled to do the actual pitch in April 2017 — but just because a company pitches, it doesn’t mean the pitch will make it to air – so we had to wait. The Dragons’ Den season began in September and the team at Datenight Babysitting hoped to hear from CBC. Finally, we got word that we made it to air on March 15th!

We can’t say too much about how it went – you’ll have to tune in with us and see for yourself! They definitely asked us some hard questions so we are excited to see how it airs!

In the spirit of celebration, we are offering new users a month free with the code DRAGONSDEN. It’s easy to register and we are sure you’ll love our babysitters!

This post was brought to you by Datenight Babysitting — Toronto’s leading mobile app connecting parents with experienced, local babysitters — with thousands of dates booked in the GTA.

03 Jan

Interview with a Mamapreneur: Meet Tijana Daly of Daly Dose of Health

Get to know the superwomen in your community in our new series, Interview with a Mamapreneur. We’ll be featuring local entrepreneurs & moms to find out how they run a successful business—and household. This month, meet Tijana…

Tell us about your business.

My business is called Daly Dose of Health. I’m a personal trainer specializing in pre and postnatal exercise. My passion is helping mamas look and feel their best, but more importantly, helping them gain the knowledge needed to exercise safely as a postpartum woman. I emphasize building a proper foundation of strength, empowering all women to feel strong!

Tell us about your family.

I have a 17-month-old son who keeps me on my toes. My husband and I are both personal trainers. It’s really cool having a partner in the same industry because we can understand each other on that level. A household with two entrepreneurs and a toddler definitely gets crazy!

What led you to become a mamapreneur?

Having been a personal trainer for a few years, I decided to branch out on my own after my son was born. Since becoming a mom, I saw the unique needs and challenges we have when it comes to forms of self care, such as exercise. There was definitely a need in the industry to address issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction and diastasis for all these moms that just want to “get their body back.” After learning more about these common issues through a course called Bellies Inc, I made it my mission to share my knowledge to help my fellow ‘fit mamas’ out.

What are your strategies for running a business and a household at the same time?

Being a mamapreneur can be tough. When I factor in my own training, going to school part time, keeping the place neat, cooking… I’m not sure how I’m still standing! I have come to realize maybe there is no such thing as a “perfect balance.” Many working moms surely have a bit of mommy guilt in common when it comes to prioritizing work. My best strategy is to let go of the guilt by scheduling time for work AND for time with my little one. I typically get the bulk of my work stuff done when he’s napping or asleep for the night, so when I’m with him, I don’t answer my work emails or phone.

What do you do to de-stress?

I truly enjoy cooking and making healthy recipes when I’m feeling stressed. That’s my therapy! And definitely getting a massage and a mani/pedi.

What are your biggest challenges when it comes to finding time for yourself?

My biggest challenge in finding time is definitely tearing myself away from work. There is always something more to do in terms of business development. I stay up way past my bedtime many nights!

What qualities do you look for in a babysitter or caregiver?

Besides excellent references, I am a big believer in “vibes.” If I feel like the babysitter is truly awesome and wants to spend time with my kid, they’re a keeper. And when you know, you know.

How often did you and your partner go on “dates” before kids?

My husband and I used to love going out a lot! Our lifestyle has changed so much. We were definitely going out a couple times a week pre-baby.

How often do the two of you get out now?

Oh man, nowadays if we have a night to ourselves, we are much more likely to enjoy it having a good night’s sleep! But in terms of actually going out, it’s probably every couple of months.

What are your top 3 favourite date nights? (Note: they don’t have to be evening dates.)
1. Trampolining at Sky Zone.
2. Having dinner out and maybe some drinks.
3. Going to an Escape Room

About Tijana Daly

Tijana is a Postpartum Personal Trainer working out of Toronto’s west end as well as online. When she’s not training clients or lifting at the gym, she enjoys making fun new recipes and spending time with her husband and son.

About Daly Dose of Health

Daly Dose of Health is a female-focused personal training business that provides women with the tools and knowledge to gain strength, improve body composition, and feel great about their body’s capabilities.

Special offer for Datenight members: Email Tijana with “50% off” in the subject line to receive 50% off your first month of online coaching.

This post was brought to you by Datenight Babysitting — Toronto’s leading mobile app connecting parents with experienced, local babysitters — with thousands of dates booked in the GTA.

11 Dec

Interview with a Mamapreneur: Meet Kathleen O’Hagan of AllergyBites

Get to know the superwomen in your community in our new series, Interview with a Mamapreneur. We’ll be featuring local entrepreneurs & moms to find out how they run a successful business—and household. This month, meet Kathleen…

1. Tell us about your business.

AllergyBites was born soon after my son was. I had always adored discovering new restaurants and eating at old favourites, and while pregnant, I liked to imagine that my baby boy would grow up to be just as adventurous with his eating habits as his mama. That is, until he was diagnosed with multiple food allergies (peanuts, tree nuts, egg, sesame, soy* and sunflower). After doing a Google search to find “allergy-friendly restaurants in Toronto” (and being gravely disappointed), I made it my mission to seek out and review eating spots in the city that could accommodate people with food allergies and share my findings with other families like mine. The idea has since evolved to include allergy-friendly products and services, accommodating spaces, and more.

*We recently challenged soy at Sick Kids and have crossed it off our list. Woo hoo!

2. Tell us about your family.

I’m the mom to a talkative toddler who ran before he walked. (Seriously.) My husband and I spend our days chasing after him while being entertained by his glorious communication skills. Fun fact: We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary just this fall, which if you do the math, you’ll realize our little guy ‘walked’ down the aisle with us. I didn’t get to wear my wedding dress to my own wedding because we found out I was pregnant after I had already said yes to the guy… and the dress.)

3. What led you to become a mamapreneur?

After my son’s diagnosis, life became quite challenging. I couldn’t imagine going back to work full-time while navigating life as an “allergy mom.” When my request to go back part-time was denied, I decided not to go back at all and dove into the AllergyBites project full force.

4. What are your strategies for running a business and a household at the same time?

I still don’t have this figured out 100%. It can be quite challenging when you suddenly have two demanding babies—your actual baby & your business—because everything feels like a priority.

A big one is asking for help. Even though I wasn’t going into a physical office, my husband and I decided to “splurge” on daycare since there was no way I would ever get any work done while home with a little one.

I really love the idea of a space, like Working Ensemble, that provides parents with childcare while they get some work done onsite. Unfortunately, it’s not a simple task to accommodate children with multiple allergies, so we haven’t been able to make use of this great little spot. With my help, the owner of Working Ensemble is working on implementing an allergy policy, and I look forward to the day when I can possibly take advantage of their wonderful services.

5. What do you do to de-stress?

I recently wrote a piece on self-care and how, as an allergy mom, I’m really tired of feeling guilty about not having any time for it. The truth is, I get very little time for me… and I’m okay with that for now. I know that this stage of my child’s life won’t last forever, and if that means I need to forego prioritizing myself for a bit, I can handle that for a while.

Taking a shower or doing groceries by myself are two easy ways to get some ‘me time’ in, which seems to helps me de-stress.

My husband and I also like to enjoy a cup of tea and a sweet treat once the baby is asleep in the evenings. It’s our daily indulgence, and we get a bit of time to catch up after yet another whirlwind of a day.

6. What are your biggest challenges when it comes to finding time for yourself?

My little guy is almost 2, and he has not slept through the night since the 4-month sleep regression hit—that’s a long time! He is by definition a “high-needs” baby at nighttime, which can make it very difficult to get time to ourselves. We don’t have the freedom to do things like watch TV or read a book in the evenings, and we often wake up feeling less than rested.

(This too shall pass… This too shall pass… LOL.)

7. What qualities do you look for in a babysitter or caregiver?

Because it’s so tough to put our little guy to bed, we haven’t actually left him with anyone in the evenings other than my parents. We’re crossing our fingers that we can start making use of Datenight’s “allergy aware” sitters (and go on more dates!!) in the New Year. He’ll be 2 then, so we keep telling ourselves things may get a little easier in 2018. 😉

In terms of our daytime caregiver, we searched for someone who would not leave our child to cry if he were having difficulty falling asleep at naptime. And, of course, we needed to know the person caring for our son on a daily basis knew about allergies and would be able to handle an emergency should he experience an anaphylactic reaction in their care. We were extremely lucky to find a warm, loving caregiver who happens to have multiple allergies of her own. So she definitely gets it.

8. How often did you and your partner go on “dates” before kids?

A lot. We loved checking out new restaurants and breweries in the city, and made sure to regularly visit old favourites too. I’m pretty sure we ate out more than we ate in.

9. How often do the two of you get out now?

Maybe once every 2 months, when my parents are around to watch the little guy.

10. What are your top 3 favourite date nights?

1. Sipping red wine and eating a selection of delicious foods at a new restaurant.
2. Going to the theatre. (If I can drag my hubby to a musical, even better!)
3. Chatting over craft beer and a snack at a local brewery.

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About Kathleen O’Hagan
Kathleen is a Toronto-based writer, foodie, and most recently, mom. Her professional writing experience includes more than 10 years of content creation in the form of blogs, newsletters, social channels, and even video. As a foodie, Kathleen’s motto is “I’ll eat anything once.” (Don’t believe her? Read about the time she ate a living, breathing fish in Japan.) As a mom, she lovingly practices attachment parenting and does what she can to spread the word about food allergy awareness.

About AllergyBites
AllergyBites is the go-to spot for foodies and families with food allergies. It began as the place to find accommodating restaurants in the city, and has since evolved to include allergy-friendly eats & treats, spaces & places. The recently launched discount card provides members with exclusive discounts on their favourite allergy-friendly brands. Browse participating businesses.

Special offer for Datenight members: Use promo code WeNeedDateNight and get $10 off your AllergyBites discount card. Offer expires Jan 31st, 2018.

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This post was brought to you by Datenight Babysitting — Toronto’s leading mobile app connecting parents with experienced, local babysitters — with thousands of dates booked in the GTA.

15 Nov

Holiday Offer: The perfect gift for every parent’s wish list

Dear parents,

If reliable childcare + healthy home cooked meals—both delivered right to your door—sounds like a dream come true, we’ve got some great news!

Datenight Babysitting has teamed up with Farm to Table Meals to create a customized gift card for busy moms and dads like you… just in time for the holidays.

So if you’re tired of all the post-Christmas clutter (More tidying? No, thanks!), why not add an experience to your wish list this year?

Our joint gift card lets you put half towards paying for a trusted, local babysitter and half towards healthy and delicious meal deliveries.

You know what that means? You and your partner can head out on a date and not have to worry about preparing a meal before you go. Or, you can enjoy a low-maintenance home cooked meal as a family, and simply order pizza the next time the sitter is over. 😉

Love this idea? Let Santa (and the grandparents!) know that they can purchase it here so they don’t get you something you’ll only want to re-gift.

Or, if you want to be the favourite friend from now until eternity, why not give this every parent you know The Best Gift Ever this holiday season? From one parent to another – you know that it’s pretty much all any parent wants…

Sincerely,
The moms behind Datenight Babysitting and Farm to Table Meals

P.S. Not only is it the perfect holiday gift, it’s great for baby showers too!

Offer Details

Customized gift cards are available in the following amounts: $100, $150 or $200.
Available for purchase via the Datenight or Farm to Table websites, from now until December 31st, 2017.
Offer expires one year after the date of purchase.
Please make sure the recipient lives within the proper boundaries, listed here.

This post was brought to you by Datenight Babysitting — Toronto’s leading mobile app connecting parents with experienced, local babysitters — with thousands of dates booked in the GTA.

13 Nov

Interview with a Mamapreneur: Meet Melanie Stevens Sutherland of RPM Physiotherapy

1. Tell us about your business.

RPM Physiotherapy is a boutique physiotherapy, massage therapy and osteopathy clinic in the heart of the Junction. My background is in sport medicine, but the clinic has evolved to not only treat orthopedic conditions but to also specialize in women’s health (more specifically pre and postnatal care) as well as helping clients after motor vehicle accidents. We don’t use a lot of machines. We prefer to be hands on with a strong emphasis on lifestyle change and exercise. Our perfect client is someone who, after using our services, leaves with an enthusiasm for wellness and the tools for a happy and healthy life.

2. Tell us about your family.

I am mom to two amazing little people. Charlotte is our feisty, hilarious 3-year-old, and in March of this year, we welcomed our son William. My husband Brian is probably the most patient and level-headed person I know, which has made balancing being a mom and owning my own business (read: no maternity leave) possible. We both work from home and balance family and work pretty happily.

3. What led you to become a mamapreneur?

I was in what I thought was my dream job when I became pregnant with my daughter. It unfortunately became very clear that being a new mom was going to be difficult in my current job situation. My boss wanted me back to work within six weeks at full capacity with a nanny in tow and scheduled breastfeeding breaks. I recognize that a lot of women do this, but it isn’t how I wanted to start things off with my daughter. I had no idea how I was going to handle motherhood, let alone give my full attention to my job.

I tried to make it work on a modified basis for a bit. My daughter came to the office at 5 days old on Boxing Day to do payroll and attended her first staff meeting when she was only 2 weeks. After 4 months, I was so stressed out—I wasn’t fully healed and couldn’t give my new baby the full attention she needed. During a really ugly cry in the middle of the night, my husband looked at me and said: “Quit. You are not happy. We will work it out.”

I had never been unemployed before, but since I was already on a planned unpaid maternity leave, I had some time to think about what my ideal work situation would look like. I really love my kids, but I also really love what I do. I felt strongly that I shouldn’t have to give up one for the other, and I was pretty sure I didn’t want to take a step backwards in my career. When I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I decided to create it for myself. I found an amazing business to partner with, and RPM Physiotherapy was born when my daughter was just 8 months old.

4. What are your strategies for running a business and a household at the same time?

This is still an evolution with a steep learning curve. I am by no means perfect at either, but I think recognizing that has made both a bit easier. I definitely juggle more than I balance.

At work, I took a lot of time to hire an amazing team. They are so competent at what they do and require very little day-to-day intervention from me. I try to keep communication very open and transparent so I know what they need from me and vice versa.

I also took great care to put a lot of systems in place that would take the pressure off of me. For example, our clients can book and manage their accounts online. I hired someone to build us a great website that we update with valuable information for our clients. And I hired a fantastic business coach who fills in the gaps when it comes to my lack of formal business training. Having these systems and supports in place allows me to focus on what are the priorities in my business.

Home isn’t that different. I am very lucky to have a partner who is extremely hands on with our kids and is flexible in his work. We are also fortunate to have a strong support system in our immediate families who are close by and always ready to lend a hand. And we had a part time nanny join our family back in September when my daughter started school.

Essentially, on both fronts I’m learning to ask for help and make my needs in both the business and at home clear so we can all support each other. I’ve come to realize that time is my most valuable asset and I have started outsourcing things that aren’t my strength or aren’t on the top of my priority list.

5. What do you do to de-stress?

Exercise is something I prioritize daily. I make it a goal to move at least 30 minutes every day. It can be an intense High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout with heavy lifting or it can be a leisurely walk with our dog. Either way, allowing my body to move and breathe gives me the stamina and hopefully the patience to handle the rest of my day.

Coffee and wine help a lot too.

6. What are your biggest challenges when it comes to finding time for yourself?

Probably guilt.

I’ve become that obnoxious person who is never without her phone because I’m afraid of letting a client or a team member down if I don’t receive their call or respond to their email right away.

Similarly, I feel bad leaving my kids. I know they are in great hands, but I miss their little faces the minute I walk out the door.

I understand the importance of self-care and time to myself, but I usually spend that time thinking about my babies (kids and work alike). I have a tough time winding down. It is something I am working on.

7. What qualities do you look for in a babysitter or caregiver?

I love the idea of our kids having as much fun as we do when we leave them. I don’t want the act of us leaving to be a negative experience so we try to hype it up as a treat or something fun. Our 3-year-old rules the roost in our house so someone who is up for a dance party while dressed as a Disney princess is always a good fit.

My husband is a little more nervous about leaving the kids. We once went to the movies on a particularly windy night and he made me review hurricane protocol (you’ve heard about all of those hurricanes that hit Toronto, right?) with the sitter before we left. He is much more comfortable with someone who is mature and conscientious around all things safety.

So basically if you can tire our kids out while they have a ton of fun and stay safe at the same time, you are the perfect fit for us. Our favourite sitter does all that and hosts a great pizza party too. She left for university in September and we were devastated.

8. How often did you and your partner go on “dates” before kids?

My favourite date before kids was a game of tennis followed by dinner and drinks every Friday night. Mix that in with trying a new restaurant here and there and getting together with friends, and we were probably getting out once or twice a week.

9. How often do the two of you get out now?

It is hard to get out with an 8-month-old. He is pretty tied to me right now, but we have been out a few times without the kids. My in-laws have been kind enough to watch them while we slip out for a quick dinner when we are all up at the cottage, and most recently, they did their first overnight with my parents so we could catch a show at Massey Hall.

I would say, realistically, we are probably getting a date night alone every six weeks right now. We have some fun events planned for the next few months and we are hoping to start getting some more regular date nights in as our little guy gets older.

10. What are your top 3 favourite date nights?

My favourite date is still walking to a great local restaurant for a yummy dinner and a glass of wine with my husband.

A close second would have to be a trip to the VIP movie theatre. If our time is limited, this is a great way to maximize how much we can fit into a shortened date.

My new favourite is a day date. Since we both have flexible schedules, sometimes the stars align and we get to catch up midday over lunch on a patio before we have to get back to work to finish our days.

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About Melanie Stevens Sutherland
Melanie brings 13 years of experience as a sport physiotherapist to her role as Clinic Director at RPM Physiotherapy. As a mom of two, her most recent area of interest is working with pre and postnatal women to manage pain associated with pregnancy by helping restore their core strength.

About RPM Physiotherapy
RPM Physiotherapy is a boutique physiotherapy and massage therapy clinic located inside of RPM Total Fitness, in the heart of the Junction. Our expert team of healthcare providers is committed to helping our clients achieve the healthiest version of themselves by providing excellence in orthopedic, sport, and pre and postnatal healthcare. We employ the most current and effective treatment techniques to help you meet your personal goals.

Special discount for Datenight members: Mention Datenight and receive 10% off massage therapy services or any in-stock retail products. Offer valid until March 31st, 2018. Bookings subject to availability.

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This post was brought to you by Datenight Babysitting — Toronto’s leading mobile app connecting parents with experienced, local babysitters — with thousands of dates booked in the GTA.

25 Oct

Guest Post: Why Date Night is an Important Part of Postpartum Mental Health

Today’s guest post was written by Vania Sukola – a Registered Psychotherapist who mainly supports new and expectant parents around issues that relate to perinatal and postpartum topics. Some of the areas that are a focus of her work are helping new parents build a wellness toolkit that can help lessen the impact of postpartum mental health issues as well as helping mothers who have experienced birth trauma.

As the fog of new parenthood begins to lift, we are faced with the new reality of everyday life as parents. It may take longer than we expected (or want to admit) to get a good night’s sleep or a long bubble bath—let alone have a date night… without our babe in tow.

As a parent of 2 young kids myself, I’ve noticed that my once sacred weekly night out with my partner has been sacrificed for nights in, Netflix, and the occasional cuddle. We may be missing out on all the new movie releases and restaurants, but at least we are relaxed and well-rested, and taking some intentional time together. And that’s what really matters.

As social creatures that thrive off of connection and belonging, experiencing some intimate connections with our partners and friends is key to our mental health and resiliency. Brene Brown, a therapist and social scientist, writes in her latest book, Braving the Wilderness, about the importance of feeling a sense of belonging—with ourselves and then with others that help us feel connected, attached and valued. With this in mind, it may give you some comfort to know that having a date night with your partner is actually important—imperative even—for your mental health.

October began with Mental Health Awareness Week, so let that be your excuse to be mindful of the connection that mental health has on our potential to experience postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD), like postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression. While the symptoms for PMAD can range, one of the key things to look out for is a lack of motivation or energy to do things socially or intimately. The risk is that this can lead to further isolation, while intentionally seeking out connection with others can alleviate these negative feelings. Of course, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professional if you notice that your mood and energy are even lower than expected or linger on for several days.

If you’re looking to give your mental health a boost, here are 3 helpful strategies to give yourself a break from being a parent for a few hours, get you out that door, and have some adult-friendly fun.

1) Benefit from ancient Buddhist wisdom.

The Wheel of Life is a great tool that reminds us that we are more than just parents, but also individuals with interests, passions, and hobbies separate from the other roles we play. When I look at this tool, I see areas that have been lacking in my life—maybe it’s that I haven’t taken the time for a hobby, or regular exercise, or to meet up with friends. Whatever it happens to be, you can find worksheets on this ancient Buddhist tool that will help bring balance to your life.

2) Make a date with reflective self-care

I’m a big fan of self-care and wellness activities. I also know how hard it can be to actually practice self-care with small children around, and how guilty we can feel when we take time for ourselves. While having a decadent bath is amazing, and a fresh coat of paint on our nails is luxurious, making time to be playful and laugh with your partner is something that is so much more nurturing. Maybe go on a PaintNite together, or a couples massage. Too intense? What about a double date mini-putting with friends (where you make a deal to not (only) talk about the kids)? Our bodies shift when we are active, and the mind/body connection is a great way to help us stay on top of our mental health needs.

3) Stay connected with your partner

Being a new parent is a life-changing event. It can be stressful, surprise us, and throw us for a loop. While there are some precursors to being more vulnerable to PMAD, sometimes the reality of new parenthood is a stand-alone indicator. Another reality of new parenthood is that conflict between couples both related to parenting issues and not (e.g., financial stress, work-life balance, a shift in lifestyle and priorities) can also lead to new or increased tension in the relationship.

So, when you are discussing bills to pay or what food to order for dinner, also take a moment to pause and reflect with your partner about what you can both do to stay in tune with each other. Take time to align your priorities as a couple, find creative ways to stay connected, and make sure to go out and enjoy a date. It’s win-win after all—for you and your mental health!

As the saying goes, we cannot give from an empty cup. Taking time for ourselves makes us more attentive parents and happier people. So what are you waiting for? Go book that date night! 🙂

This post was brought to you by Datenight Babysitting — Toronto’s leading mobile app connecting parents with experienced, local babysitters — with thousands of dates booked in the GTA.