As a fortunate individual, I have a partner who excels in parenting. This not only benefits me but also greatly impacts our children. You might wonder why I believe he will outlive me. The reasons are clear:
- He Doesn’t Accumulate Random Items. Each day, our children offer me an array of items to “hold”: from half-eaten lollipops to tiny toys acquired at the local playground, or my son’s current fascination—old rubber bands found on the sidewalk. Despite my efforts to maintain good health, including a vitamin regimen, I find myself continuously battling colds. My doctor even noted that I was the only adult in her practice diagnosed with double pink eye last year.
- Selective Hearing Skills. While my partner isn’t truly deaf, he has mastered the art of selective hearing. When our kids call out for “Mom,” I’m the one who consistently responds. Over time, this means the children will stop calling for him altogether, sparing him from the relentless echoes of “DAD!” In contrast, I can foresee myself as an elderly woman muttering “MomMomMom” as I wait at a bus stop in a few decades.
- Deep Sleep. This trait may be linked to the previous point. I am a light sleeper, aware of every cough and sigh from our children, even from another floor. My partner, however, sleeps soundly, confident that I will handle everything from minor requests to urgent situations, like the night I had to wake him to inform him that our daughter was in distress and needed a trip to the ER. It’s more accurate to say he sleeps like a father rather than a baby.
- Emergency Contact Responsibilities. As the primary emergency contact for our children’s school, I receive myriad calls ranging from “Is your child taking the bus or being picked up?” to the dreaded “This is the school nurse…” When I see that number on my phone, I experience an immediate wave of anxiety.
- Division of Parenting Tasks. Somehow, I ended up with the unenviable trifecta of applying sunscreen, clipping nails, and overseeing thank-you notes. The tears shed over these responsibilities could fill a small pool. Our kids dislike these tasks just as much as I do.
- Understanding of Independence. My partner recognizes that our children possess opposable thumbs and can reach most surfaces in our home. He knows they can prepare a snack when they’re hungry, eventually brush their teeth, and wait a few moments for assistance with finding batteries for the remote. This stands in stark contrast to my tendency to micromanage their daily activities. His relaxed approach is something I admire and aspire to adopt myself. If I manage to embrace this mindset, perhaps I can avoid becoming that frazzled old lady at the bus stop.
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In summary, my partner’s ability to manage stress, sleep soundly, and promote independence in our children makes me believe he will likely outlive me. Adopting some of his strategies could enhance my own longevity and well-being.
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