Every parent craves to hear those three magical words — and no, I’m not referring to “I love you” or “I want you.” I’m talking about an entirely different trio that can spark excitement: “I’ll handle bedtime.”
Let me tell you, nothing sets the mood quite like my partner, Mark, offering to take on the bedtime routine after a long day with the kids. He could walk through the door and announce, “We won the lottery!” and I wouldn’t flinch (well, maybe a little). But when he says he’ll manage the bedtime chaos? I melt like a popsicle on a summer day.
Don’t misunderstand me; I adore my children. However, the mere thought of handling bedtime leaves me in a cold sweat. The relentless requests for snacks, milk, and water could drive anyone to the brink. Honestly, I rack up my daily steps pacing back and forth from the kids’ room to the kitchen — it’s a solid 65 steps each way!
And let’s not even start on the wardrobe changes! My youngest, Lily, insists on selecting her pajamas, only to change her mind five minutes later. One night she wore footed pajamas only to decide they were inappropriate for wearing slippers in the morning. The confusion!
Then there’s the never-ending light switch battle. If someone were to peek into our home at bedtime, they might think we’re hosting a rave with the lights flicking on and off repeatedly. It feels like we’re trapped in an endless cycle of “light on, light off.”
And, my personal favorite, Lily insists on sleeping with ten blankets, each arranged in a specific order. If I dare to place the purple crochet blanket on top of the pink quilt, chaos ensues. “Start over!” she demands, and I comply, only to discover that the arrangement has mysteriously changed by the next night. It’s enough to make me consider using the blankets as an escape route out of her second-story window.
Of course, denying any of these tiny tyrant’s demands results in a 20-minute tantrum that feels like a lifetime — the wailing, the stomping, the dramatic cries. It’s all part of the nightly ritual.
Then comes the moment of triumph: You think you’ve finally put them to sleep. Their tummies are full, bladders empty, and all their favorite stuffed animals are perfectly positioned. You sneak out of their room and breathe a sigh of relief, only to hear, “MOM!!!” echoing down the hall. It’s as if you’ve forgotten the most critical element for their sleep — and just like that, you’re back in bedtime purgatory.
Honestly, there are nights when I close the door and dash down the hallway to the shower. I wash my hair, shave my legs (which I realize I haven’t done in weeks), and bask in the tranquility. Sure, I keep the monitor close, but sometimes I turn it down just enough to avoid hearing Lily call my name for the hundredth time over an imaginary need for one more snack or sip of water.
So, when Mark offers to take on the bedtime responsibilities, I’m all in. It’s possibly the most romantic thing he could say.
It’s fascinating how relationships evolve and how our needs shift over time. In the early days of our romance, hearing “I miss you” sent shivers down my spine. Then came “I love you,” followed by “Will you marry me?” Eventually, we got to “Let’s have kids” and “You look great.” But now? “I’ll handle bedtime” is my new love language.
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In summary, parenting is a journey filled with unexpected challenges and moments of joy. The evolution of intimacy in a relationship often reflects the changes in daily life, and finding simple pleasures, like sharing bedtime duties, can reignite the spark.
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