Nights Out Without The Kids
Having children can be amazing. However, whether you are a single dad, co-parenting with the mother, or part of a blended family, you will still need some time off. Both parents need to have adequate time to themselves to be able to recharge and relax, which can make the responsibilities of parenting a bit easier.
On some occasions, this might involve you staying home so that your partner, or ex-partner, can go out. Or, they may be the one at home to allow you the same luxury. If you have a responsible babysitter, it might also be possible for you to go out together, which can be great for strengthening and maintaining your relationship.
Due to nights out being scarce since you became a parent, it is important to do your utmost to avoid any risky behavior while out, so that you can return to your children safely.
Never Drink and Drive
You may feel like you are invincible now that you have faced leaking nappies and milk spit up, but you are still human. If you are planning to drink, it is always best to walk, use public transport, or hire a taxi to reach your destination. If you drove to a location, leaving your car where it is and collecting it the next day is much better than attempting to get home driving it. Other than it being incredibly dangerous, drink driving has severe consequences - see this lawyer for a first DWI offense for more information. The bottom line is to either nominate a designated driver, or leave the car at home.
Stop at Your Limit
Following on from the previous point, drinking excessively is expensive, and can cause a number of problems. It could cause an embarrassing alcohol flush reaction but you can avoid this by taking an Asian glow pill. Frequent alcohol consumption can also cause severe liver damage. In the moment, too much alcohol can also cause blackouts, vomiting, or overly confident behaviors, such as instigating fights. After a couple of drinks, you may feel a little merry and happy. It can be a good idea to stop here, while the night is still enjoyable, rather than attempting to get as drunk as possible. It is also worth considering that, as you age, your tolerance level for alcohol will decrease, meaning that you won’t be able to drink as much now as you could when you were 21.
Consider Childcare for the Following Day
There is a rising trend of hangover childcare being used, so that children are still looked after properly while their parents nurse the effects of the night before. While a hangover isn’t necessarily a good thing, being responsible enough to ensure your child is still cared for the next day is good parenting. Having your child stay with a friend for the following day, or paying to hire a registered nanny, can allow you some time to feel more human again, without your child suffering for it.
Having a night out is not a crime, nor should you feel guilty for having your own identity. So long as you are making responsible and legal choices, both while out and after, there is no reason why you cannot indulge in a bit of ‘you time’.