I adore my kids—that’s a given. They are my world, and life without them seems unimaginable. However, there’s one aspect of parenting that I absolutely can’t stand: putting them to bed. Seriously, I loathe it.
I have a friend, let’s call her Sarah, who claims she relishes every moment of tucking her kids in at night. I often wonder why we’re still friends—her enthusiasm just makes me feel worse about my own feelings.
Am I a terrible mom because I find myself staring at the clock from 6:00 PM, practically counting down the seconds to bedtime? My heart races in anticipation, and it’s not for the reasons you might think.
From dawn until dusk, I’m juggling a myriad of roles—wake-up service, chef, referee, chauffeur, therapist, and so much more. It’s an exhausting routine, and honestly, I don’t need a medal for it. I just want a genuine break, not the kind where I hide in the bathroom pretending to… well, you know, while they pound on the door asking what I’m doing.
I know some will label me as a heartless parent for not wanting to read yet another story at bedtime. Honestly, I’d much rather pour myself a glass of wine and ponder how the day flew by—again.
Let’s Break Down My Bedtime Routine
Three endless stories (they always choose the longest ones, of course), the “potty and teeth brushing” saga (where somehow all three of them think there’s room for everyone at the sink), and the drawn-out march to their rooms filled with dramatic protests. It’s a nightly battle I refuse to lose; why can’t we just learn from the previous night’s chaos?
Once they’re finally in their rooms, the fun isn’t over. I have to “suck” the nightmares away—an elaborate charade where I convince them I can control their fears. Then comes the hugging, the kissing, and whispering sweet words, all while I attempt to sneak out of their rooms without further interruption. But just as I think I’m free, my daughter has a sudden revelation: “Mom, I forgot to tell you something REALLY important!”
And thus begins the exhausting back-and-forth, where I feel like a ping pong ball bouncing between rooms, trying to keep my cool while internally screaming, “GO TO SLEEP!”
I’m beyond ready to throw in the towel. I want to clock out, but I can’t until they finally release me from their grip and drift off. Then I have a couple of hours before I hit the pillow myself—packing lunches, hunting down wet snow pants that they’ve forgotten to hang up, signing permission slips, and pouring just enough wine to avoid a hangover while still keeping my worries at bay.
Before I know it, I’m in a state of denial about how much I’ll miss these chaotic bedtime routines once they’re all grown up. I mean, who wouldn’t miss the nightly frenzy?
If you’re interested in other parenting topics, check out our post on the home insemination kit for more insights. And for those curious about the science behind pregnancy, in vitro fertilisation is an excellent resource.
Summary
Putting my kids to bed is a chaotic and exhausting experience that I dread every night. From reading long books to dealing with dramatic protests, the routine leaves me yearning for a break. Despite the challenges, I know one day I’ll miss these moments of mayhem.