They say, “I’d do anything for my partner,” but now that I’m a parent of three, I’m realizing that might not hold true. Parenthood puts us in some pretty wild situations, pushing us to do things for our little ones that we’d never dream of doing for our spouses.
For instance, I would never:
- Get my face uncomfortably close to my partner’s rear end to check for a dirty diaper.
- Let her use the bathroom while I’m soaking in the tub.
- Tolerate her standing on my head during a movie marathon.
- Fish out her poop from a bathtub (yes, that’s a thing).
- Pull back her pants to verify her wiping skills.
- Pay for her face to be painted at the fair and then comfort her when she’s upset it’s not a masterpiece.
- Allow her to wipe her nose on my shirt because it’s convenient.
- Wipe her behind (that’s a hard no).
- Remind her to visit the restroom multiple times a day because she might forget.
- Whip up a fresh batch of mac and cheese after she “accidentally” drops her dinner on the floor.
- Let her sit on my lap while I’m in the middle of a bathroom break.
- Carry her on my shoulders when she’s too tired to walk.
- Console her after she decides my phone is better suited for a swim in the toilet.
- Apply cream to her diaper rash.
- Wrestle her into shoes while she screams, only to have her kick them off immediately.
- Collect her chewed gum while navigating the freeway.
- Share a tiny toddler bed (no thank you).
- Apologize for her spontaneous pants removal in the grocery store.
- Endure the agony of watching Caillou on repeat.
- Not bat an eye when she indulges in her own boogers.
As I reflect on this list, it feels like my love for my kids is something else entirely. Perhaps it’s just that I hold my partner to a higher standard. Who knows? If we stick together long enough, one of us might be wiping the other’s behind someday—ah, the joys of parenthood! It certainly requires a good amount of patience, love, and yes, a few wet wipes.
If you’re curious about more insights into parenting, check out this post on our home insemination kit blog. For those looking into artificial insemination, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource. Also, Genetics and IVF Institute offers excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the things we do for our children often eclipse what we’d do for our partners, showcasing the unique bond of parenthood. Perhaps love manifests differently when it comes to our little ones—at least until we’re all grown up!