When we had our first child, Sam, my wife Heather and I were constantly looking for things to do outside of the house. A small local theatre in Toronto started something called Movies for Mommies, and we were intrigued.

We learned that at an otherwise dead afternoon time slot, the theatre would open to parents with babies. There were tables in the back converted to makeshift diaper change areas. The volume of the movie was brought down for new, little ears. We even received gift bags with an array of parenting related swag from local businesses.

I remember sitting in the back of the theatre watching 40 Year Old Virgin with Sam. The projector light was gently reflecting on the tiny, bald heads facing me. It was an audience of bouncing babies over the shoulders of their parents, who stared back at me drooling or were sound asleep. It was nice to realize I was part of an elite club of new-parent, film geeks.

I try to take my kids to a movie each month. I think it’s important for Ella and Sam to experience films in the theatre, like they did when they were babies. Luckily, kids films have a come a long way. We have decided to reserve another screening of 40 Year Old Virgin for about 15 years.

What experiences helped you feel connected to other new parents?

Dave Delaney is a Toronto-born, digital marketing consultant, hubby and dad in Nashville, TN.