LAZY MONK IS A KID (AND ADULT!) FRIENDLY HANGOUT.

Hey there, Mama Bear. I see you. With the bags under your eyes, your hair a mess. You too, Papa Bear, I see that confused look of not being sure what to do. The newborn stage is hard for any parent, and looking back, it becomes a blur. Thankfully, it doesn’t last forever, or even very long in the grand scheme of your parenting future. I see you, and you’ve got this. But just in case that screaming bundle of joy has you gripping to the edge of your sanity, here are a few ideas on how to make you feel more like your pre-parent self.

Grocery Shopping

We live in the glorious age of technology, and you better believe you should take advantage. Several grocery and department stores now offer drive-up service, and it’s a great thing when your little one has FINALLY fallen asleep and you can’t fathom the idea that she might wake up when you attempt to take the carrier out of the car. Not to mention trying to find a place for your purchases while the car carrier fills the entire shopping cart. There’s no need to juggle it all. Order your items online and allow those glorious customer service saints to meet you at the door. 

Meals

When you’ve been spending all your energy trying to nurture a tiny human, some days the last thing you can think about is feeding yourself. To create some normalcy, my husband and I treated ourselves to a meal out once in a while, and Northern Tap House was our safe place. It’s loud, and that’s a good thing. No one ever gave us the stink-eye about our fussy baby. Bonus: They serve beer. Lots of it. 

Relaxation

Breweries and wineries are another sanctuary for parents who need to relax. Plan your trip during nap time, grab some Burrachos to go, and find a nice quite table on the Lazy Monk patio. Let your worries float away while you sip a beer and cling to the memory of the person you were before baby.

Entertainment

We were fortunate that our daughter was born in May, so we could take advantage of being outside and getting some fresh air. We could choose any night of the week to find free live outdoor music, lay out a blanket, and let her roll around for an hour or two while we took in the music. Enjoy this time, because next summer you’ll be chasing that sweet babe around the park.

Exercise

When you’re getting a little stir crazy because you haven’t left the house in a few days, go to the mall. And walk. There’s no need to worry about how to dress your child for the weather, the terrain is flat, and there is plenty for you and baby to look at. Plus, all the other mall walkers will want to tell you how precious that little sweetheart is and how fast time flies. Eat it up. You created a human. Be proud. You’re doing great.