Date night made possible by UrbanSitter!

I love date nights.

I can’t say it enough – they’re vital to my sanity and my marriage.

In fact, Tim and I think they’re so important that we go on at least one date night each week. Thankfully, my mother-in-law comes over once a week to watch Clara for us, so even during our busy weeks we have no excuse not to make some time for ourselves.

Date night made possible by UrbanSitter

This week got a bit chaotic and on our ‘normal’ date night, Tim and I actually did separate things (whomp whomp), but we still wanted some ‘us time’ so we decided to hire our first non-family babysitter and go out for a proper date night later in the week!

Tim and I used UrbanSitter to find and schedule a babysitter for Clara. Our family members asked us if we were nervous about leaving our child with a stranger from the internet – but I think they must have forgotten that Tim and I met online! So no, we were not at all concerned.

First I created an UrbanSitter profile, which I linked to my Facebook account. This allowed me to see which babysitters my Facebook friends have already used. I love this! Also, I could select which networks I’m a part of in Chicago (a lot of parenting groups and schools were listed) so I could also see the babysitters that are popular with the families in those groups.

Then, I put in the date and time that I needed a sitter, and all of the available sitters appeared with the rates they charge per hour.  After a quick search, I scheduled an ‘interview’ with a sitter whose background and video I liked, and after a few minutes of conversation, I scheduled her to watch Clara for the next day!

At the agreed upon time, the babysitter arrived and Tim and I went out for dinner (at Slurping Turtle) and a movie (Pitch Perfect 2) and it was so fun! I love an excuse to dress up and drink cocktails and not worrying about whether Clara is throwing everything on the floor of a fancy restaurant. It was the perfect night out.

Slurping Turtle in Chicago

Fried Brussels Sprouts at Slurping Turtle in Chicago

Then when we got home, our babysitter (Kara) and I both confirmed via the UrbanSitter mobile app that she babysat for us, and I confirmed I wanted to pay by credit card (which was already in the system) and just like that, the transaction was complete and Kara was on her way home! I loved not needing to fumble around with cash and exact change and all of that nonsense at the end of the night.

I would 1000% use UrbanSitter again. In a heartbeat. It costs $15 per month to use the service (get your first month free with the promo code ‘FORFREETRIAL’) but it is so worth it. I really, really appreciated the having the ability to easily find a last minute sitter for Clara so that Tim and I could get out and spend some quality time together. Thankfully, we don’t need babysitters often, but when we do, it’s nice to have this option.

Date night made possible by UrbanSitter

There is nothing I appreciate more than time out with other adults – especially my husband! Also, there’s nothing sweeter than coming home from a date to a smiling (or better yet, a sleeping!) baby.

If you’re a parent, do you regularly get out for date nights?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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