When you think about a date night is a nice cold glass of wine the first thing that comes to mind? Do you dream about fancy cocktails that are so far removed from domestic life? Do you want to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and pretend that there isn’t a baby’s soother in your handbag? We feel you. 

• If you are co-sleepers it is not recommended to do so when you or your partner have consumed alcohol. Just consider the night ahead – will it be an absolute nightmare if co-sleeping is no longer on the table? When the date night comes to an end you will be looking forward to nothing but a good night’s sleep and this could majorly interrupt that.
• Alcohol is expensive. You’ve probably paid a babysitter and taxi fare before you even allow for a single penny to be spent on the actual date. A couple of drinks might cost the same as a delicious early bird dinner in a local restaurant. If finances are getting in the way of you and your partner having a date night this could really save you some money. It might allow for more regular date nights which is never going to be a bad thing.
• Hangovers are not fun. Hangovers as a parent are complete and utter torture. Imagine a banging head ache, nausea, feeling sleepy and not being able to think straight. Now imagine this coupled with loud toys, crying children and a house that is upside down. It will most likely turn in to a week-long affair that affects your routine, work and children’s behaviour (regretting that packet of biscuits you gave them for lunch? It seemed like a good idea at the time). The point of a date night is to reconnect and find some time to relax. The date night may do the very opposite in this case. You may find yourselves being disconnected and more stressed than you were before the date. 
• On a more serious note – if you are under the influence of alcohol you may not be able to safely care for your children. This is why a lot of parents will decide that only one person will have a drink so that the other is completely responsible and capable especially in the event of an emergency.
• If your children are older they will be watching your behaviour like a hawk. Having a date-night that does not involve alcohol will show them that alcohol is not all that important. It will teach them that alcohol is an option but not a given. They will see that you go to the cinema, out for dinner and for nice walks together. They will see that there is more to life and relationships than experiences fuelled by alcohol.