Mom's Night Out

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that a bunch of moms from my Mom's Group got together on Friday night for a Mom's Night Out. We met for happy hour/dinner and then went to one of those painting and cocktails studios. It was so much fun! We all had a blast and can't wait for the next one.  This was the first Mom's Night Out we had planned and we learned a few things that will be helpful for the next time.

The more the merrier. There were 15 of us who met for happy hour and 12 of us went to the painting studio after.   Because there were so many moms who wanted to join us for the night out, everyone wasn't able to go to the painting class because it was sold out.  One of the moms came up with a great idea of having happy hour/dinner at a restaurant near the painting studio.   Everyone met at the restaurant about an hour before the painting event.  Those of us who were painting had a drink and a quick bite to each.  Those who weren't painting stayed at the restaurant longer and had a nice dinner with girlfriends.  It was a great option that allowed anyone who wanted a girls night out to join.  Both groups had some quality girl time and an evening sans baby.   Invite as many moms as you can. I was really surprised with the turnout and I am so glad so many of us were able to make it out for a night without our little ones.

Try something new.  Some of us had gone to a painting and cocktails class before and others hadn’t.  All of us had a great time, even if our paintings didn't turn out exactly like the example. We made sure to all sit together, which made the night so much fun.  Between instructions from the artist, we would all turn  and chat with each other.  We laughed so hard that some of us cried.  It was really fun to bond over trying something together and we each have a beautiful painting to remind us of a fun night out (beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?).  Mine is going to be hung in my laundry room for two reasons. One, because my laundry room is painted blue, which matches the theme of the painting; and two, only my husband and I go in the laundry room so everyone who comes over won't see how bad I am at painting.

Saturday night is probably better than Friday night.   We had a good mix of working moms and stay-at-home moms join us for a night out.  Although the class didn’t start until 6:30, I think most of us felt rushed trying to get to the class on time.   Those of us who work wouldn't have felt like we were rushing from the office to get home so that we could see our babies for a few minutes before heading out with the girls.  Those of us who didn't have to work that day were waiting for dad to get home from work so that we could leave on time.  Saturday would have been a better option because it would have given everyone a chance to wind down from the work week on Friday evening.

Mom's Night Out was a great success and really fun!  This group of moms usually gets together with our babies for playdates or walks.  It was a blast spending time with just the girls.  It is easy to get caught up in the craziness of taking care of our babies and forget about taking some time for ourselves.  Don't forget to take care of you.  

Our masterpieces!