A babysitting voucher is a perfect gift idea for those parents who could use a little bit of ‘us’ time and lets be honest who doesn’t? The first year of having a baby is extra tough on a couple. It’s very easy to fall in to a routine of eat, sleep (if you are lucky), work, repeat. No raving anymore and definitely no quality time together, it can be quite a shock to the system. Parents of older children will know it doesn’t get any easier as they get bigger. Although you may not be as tied to endless evening cluster feeds, and begin to feel more human, you still have to find someone to look after them. It can be really difficult to have a night off together!
Now that Ava is getting bigger we have been making an effort to try and get out of the house and to keep the spark alive. A date night in is lovely but you can easily get caught up in checking in on social media, tidying up and then falling asleep on the sofa when trying to watch a film. A date at night or in the day out of the house is amazing, but does require planning and a willing babysitter that you know and trust. We have only left Ava with my Mum and Dad and feel bad for asking them to babysit for us as they already help out in the week when I am at work. A babysitting voucher from them in a card would take away that guilt of asking. It would also be great to receive one from someone who we wouldn’t otherwise like to ask, a close friend or another relative, hint, hint Aunty Carrie.
We were very lucky to experience a night off together thanks to Mamas and Papas and their MandPNightOff campaign. It was lovely to be able to choose a restaurant and shop for a nice outfit to wear. I wanted to make an effort as James is used to seeing me in my baby snot covered clothes in the evening or an attractive onsie. We chose a gorgeous top rated local restaurant, The Plough in Bolnhurst, that we had been keen to go to for a while. It felt just like our weekends together pre Ava, planning a night out together. Getting ready was a bit of a rush in between sorting out the kids and putting them to bed, but as soon as we were at the restaurant and I had a glass of Prosseco in my hand I started to relax.
The Plough at Bolnhurst was decorated beautifully for Christmas with roaring fires, candles and twinkly lights it was very romantic.
The food was delicious and James had the best steak he says he has ever had (think melt in your mouth). I have a funny video of him eating it, I would love to post it but he would kill me.
The wine was great and we even had a dessert wine matched to our chocolate souffle. The restaurant has a peaceful lake outside and you can sit out there with blankets that are provided. We did try it and it was lovely to be able to look up at the stars, but unfortunately it was so windy we didn’t last very long before retreating back inside.
We both lead such busy lives with James working away a lot so we don’t often have the chance to spend time focusing on us and not all the other stresses life throws at you. As this was a night off we made the effort to switch off our phones and talk about positive topics. Plans for our future and wishes for us and the children. It was also a chance for us to celebrate some things. James is doing fantastically in his career being invited to speak at the Golf Magazine Top 100 summit in Florida in January. I’ve been working my way up the blogging charts and I feel like I’m doing something positive by reaching out to other people living with allergies. I’ve also survived the first half term back at a new School teaching. The kids are all doing well and it’s nice to have a chance to sit back and think that actually despite feeling like we are constantly in a whirlwind we aren’t doing that bad.
Our night off was a magical, Christmassy night that left us both feeling like we had, had a chance to reconnect. Thank you to Mamas and Papas for our night, it really was a much needed treat. If you want to give someone a gift this Christmas that they will really appreciate, give the gift of babysitting!