Helping Your Loved One Get Ready for Their First Date

The first date is a big moment for anyone, and for adults with intellectual disabilities, it can bring a mix of excitement and nervousness. As a guardian, you can help your loved one feel confident and prepared for this important experience. From choosing the right outfit to looking their best, these steps will ensure they feel comfortable, look great, and are ready to make a wonderful first impression.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Outfit

When deciding what to wear for their date, keep these three tips in mind:

1. Comfort Comes First: Encourage your loved one to wear something they feel comfortable in. For example, if they don’t like tight shirts or rarely wear dress shoes, avoid choosing those items. Encourage them to choose colors and styles that they like to wear. A comfortable outfit ensures they can relax and focus on enjoying their date rather than feeling distracted by their clothes.
2. Dress for the Activity: Consider where the date will take place. Is it a casual activity like bowling or a picnic? Is it outdoors, or inside? If the location is fairly casual, encourage a laid-back outfit, like jeans and a nice shirt. If the date is a formal event, or at a fancier restaurant, help them choose an outfit that feels dressier, such as a button-up shirt or a casual dress.
3. Make a Great First Impression: A first date is a chance to showcase their personality, so help them pick an outfit that makes them feel their best. Remind them that looking polished is part of making a positive first impression.

Step 2: Grooming

Grooming is a key part of getting date-ready. Help your loved one:

• Shower or bathe the day of the date to feel clean and smell fresh.
• Do their hair in a way that highlights their face, whether that’s combing it nicely or styling it the way they like best.
• If they enjoy wearing accessories like a ring, necklace, or a favorite hat, encourage them to add those personal touches.

Step 3: Boosting Confidence

While physical preparation is important, emotional readiness matters too! Remind your loved one that their date is excited to spend time with them and get to know them better. Encourage them to focus on their best qualities.

If they start to feel nervous, reassure them that it’s normal. Everyone feels a bit nervous before the first date!

Final Thoughts

By helping your loved one choose an outfit, focus on grooming, and boost their confidence, you’re setting them up for an enjoyable first date. Your support as a guardian plays a crucial role in their journey toward building relationships and meaningful connections.

You got this—and so do they!