Every parent craves to hear those magical three words. No, I’m not referring to “I love you” or “I want you.” I’m talking about the ultimate parenting phrase: “I’ll handle bedtime.”
Honestly, nothing fires me up quite like hearing my partner, Jake, declare he’s taking charge of the nighttime routine after a long day with the kids. He could stroll in and announce, “We just won the lottery,” and I might raise an eyebrow (okay, maybe a little more than that). But when he says he’s got bedtime covered? I practically melt like a popsicle on a summer day.
Let me be clear: I adore my kids. But the prospect of putting them to bed makes me break into a sweat. The barrage of requests for snacks, drinks, and “one more story” can feel overwhelming. I’d be willing to bet I get a good portion of my exercise in by pacing up and down the stairs during those chaotic moments. The trek from my kids’ room to the kitchen and back is a whopping 65 steps. And I swear, I could map out a whole cardio routine just based on that journey alone.
Don’t even get me started on the costume changes. My little one will pick out her pajamas, only to change her mind five minutes later. One night, she insisted on swapping her footed pajamas for a different pair because she thought her slippers wouldn’t fit. I’m baffled!
Then there’s the light switch dilemma. If someone peeked through our windows at bedtime, they’d think we were hosting a disco party. On, off, on, off—this endless cycle drags on for what feels like an eternity.
And here’s the kicker: my daughter insists on sleeping with an army of blankets—ten to be exact—and they have to be arranged in the right order. If I accidentally layer the pink quilt on top of the purple crochet, we have to start all over. Just when I think I’ve nailed the blanket arrangement, she decides to change it up on me. It’s enough to make me want to tie all those blankets together and use them to escape through the window!
Naturally, saying “no” to any of these tiny dictator demands can lead to an additional 20 minutes of chaos. The crying, the tantrums, the dramatic sobbing—it’s all part of the bedtime ritual.
And just when I think I’ve successfully navigated through the minefield of bedtime, with full tummies, emptied bladders, and perfectly arranged blankets, I sneak out only to hear, “MOM!!!” That dreadful sound signals I’ve forgotten something crucial to their sleep routine. My brief moment of triumph quickly crumbles back into the bedtime chaos.
Honestly, there are nights when I shut the door and sprint down the hall to hop into the shower. I relish those moments of solitude, washing my hair (has it really been that long?) and enjoying the peace and quiet. Sure, I keep the baby monitor close, but sometimes I turn it down just enough to block out my child constantly calling my name for “one more snack” or “another sip of water” that they won’t even drink.
So when Jake offers to take over the bedtime routine, I’m all in. It’s a simple phrase, but it’s the ultimate expression of love in our parenting journey.
It’s fascinating how relationships evolve over time. In the beginning, I was thrilled to hear “I miss you,” which sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Then it was “I love you,” followed by “Will you marry me?” But now, the most enticing words are, “I’ll handle bedtime.” That’s my new love language.
If you want more insights into this parenting journey, check out our other posts, like this one. And for those exploring the path of home insemination, Make a Mom offers great resources. Additionally, NHS provides excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the landscape of relationships and parenting continuously changes. What once ignited passion may now be replaced by the simple yet powerful offer to manage bedtime—an essential form of foreplay that can bring partners closer together.
Keyphrase: Parenting and Foreplay
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