Sometimes new parents can't even imagine leaving the house without their adorable baby. Or they're just too tired and would rather hire a babysitter to watch the bambino so they can get an uninterrupted nap.

In the hustle and bustle of changing diapers, cleaning bottles and nursing gear and surviving the general exhaustion that newborns bring, relationships often fall to the bottom of the list.

Leaving the house without the kid (kids if you have multiples) becomes incredibly important for new parents because it gives the rookie mom and dad a chance to reconnect as a couple.

You don't have to go on a fancy date and leave the baby home until the wee hours of the night. (Although I do recommend doing that every once and a while--24 hours a away from your kid can seem like a week-long vacation.)

Here are five simple and budget-friendly date ideas for new parents:

• Visit a cafe and bookstore. Whether it's breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or dessert, dining at small, quaint cafe

I don't know-call me frisky, but I feel like there's something so liberating about the weather (finally!) being warm. From dining al fresco (even if it is just leaning up against your local ice cream shop) to being able to stargaze after the sun goes down, the great outdoors makes everything a little bigger, a little brighter, maybe even a little more romantic.

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Here, to get started, is a list of sexy-summer activities. What do you think? What have you done?


1. Spread out a blanket and stargaze.

2. Make out in the back row of a movie theater.

3. Share a milk shake.

4. Get cozy in a rowboat at the local lake.

5. Steal away for a park-bench lunch together on a workday.

6. Enjoy carnival games on the boardwalk (then have some fun under the boardwalk).

7. When you get home from your day, kiss like you've been apart for a month.

8. Wear matching flip-flops.

9. Dedicate an entire day to being naked together.

Any more to add to the list?

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As the heat cranks up during those hot summer months, it's time to cool things off by throwing a casual beach bash. So the nearest beach is several hundred miles away? Don't sweat it -- bust out those bikinis and beach balls and prepare for some fun in the sun, right in your own backyard. It's a crowd-pleaser that entertains adults and kids alike -- and something that's easy to throw together quickly. Plus, no one has to deal with sand in their shoes!

• Create your own invitations using your favorite beach accessory -- from cheap plastic sunglasses to starfish (can be purchased online) to frisbees. Enclose the goody in a padded envelope or gift bag along with a colorful card containing all the details. You can even order custom printed mini frisbees online -- they require a little lead time, but what a fun idea!
• Purchase some giant blow-up beach balls and sand. Use the sand to fill glass vases and bowls -- then fill them with tall green grass, shells and coral, or votive candles.

Ice cream socials may sound really old fashioned, but they can actually be a lot of fun.

Start by picking out a mix of new songs and great oldies, and create a fun soundtrack for your party. Then, set up an ice cream bar with toppings, ice cream, and your kid's favorite Pop-Tarts® flavors. Show your kids how to make any of these tasty treats.

Cinnamon Sundae - Crumble a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts®toaster pastry over a scoop of their favorite ice cream.

Banana Split - Split a Chocolate Banana Split Pop-Tarts® toaster pastry in half & place frozen yogurt & a cherry on top.

Sundae Stack - Stack 4 Pop-Tarts® toaster pastry quarters with a spoonful of frozen yogurt in between each.

Cookie Dough Crumble - Sprinkle their favorite scoop of frozen yogurt with a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pop-Tarts® toaster pastry.

For more information on how to throw a great ice cream social, click here.