Every parent knows the joy that comes from those three little words. Not “I love you” or “I want you,” but rather the glorious phrase: “I’ll take care of bedtime.” Let me tell you, there’s nothing that ignites my interest more than hearing my partner, Jake, say those words after a long day with our kids. He could come in with a lottery win announcement, and I might not even flinch (okay, maybe just a little), but when he volunteers for the bedtime chaos, I’m practically swooning.
While I adore my children, the thought of getting them to sleep can be overwhelming. The endless cries for snacks, drinks, and bathroom trips seem never-ending. Honestly, I clock in plenty of steps just pacing back and forth from their room to the kitchen, and I’ve counted it out—it’s a solid 65 steps each night.
Let’s not forget the outfit changes. My youngest, a real fashionista, will choose pajamas only to decide moments later that she prefers something else entirely. One night, she was dressed in footie pajamas, but then insisted on changing out of them because she didn’t think she could wear her slippers in the morning. What logic is that?!
And the battle of the lights—if anyone were to peek in during our nighttime routine, they’d think we were hosting a disco. It’s light on, light off, light on, light off, a seemingly endless cycle.
Then there’s the blanket situation. My daughter requires an exact arrangement of ten blankets, and heaven help me if I place them in the wrong order. If I mistakenly put the purple crochet on top of the pink quilt, we have to start all over again. I think I’ve cracked the code one night, only to find out the next night that the arrangement has mysteriously changed. Honestly, sometimes I fantasize about tying all those blankets together and using them as a rope to escape out the window!
And if I dare to say no to any of these requests, I’m signing myself up for an extra 20 minutes of drama—screaming, stomping, and all the theatrics that come with it.
Just when I think I’ve finally succeeded—full bellies, empty bladders, and perfectly arranged blankets—I sneak out, only to hear, “MOM!!!” It’s the heart-stopping realization that I’ve forgotten something crucial. The peaceful moment vanishes in an instant, and I’m back on the bedtime rollercoaster.
To be honest, there are nights I close the door and dash down the hallway, jumping into the shower. I relish those moments of solitude, even if it’s just for a few minutes. I keep the monitor close by, but sometimes I lower the volume. That way, I can tune out the endless calls of my name while still being alert to any actual emergencies.
So when Jake steps up to take on the bedtime routine, it’s pure gold. It’s the best thing he could possibly say to me.
It’s fascinating how relationships and desires transform over time. In the early days, I craved hearing “I miss you,” which would leave me giddy. Then came “I love you” and “Will you marry me?” Later, it shifted to “We should start a family” or “You look good.” But none of those phrases have the same effect now. The words, “I’ll handle bedtime?” now hold all the allure. Whatever else he needs, I’m on board!
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In summary, parenting can certainly be a challenge, especially at bedtime. But when your partner steps up to share the load, it reignites the spark in your relationship, reminding you that teamwork is key.
Keyphrase: bedtime routine as foreplay
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