Do you ever feel like the weekdays are a breeze compared to weekends? From Monday to Friday, our routines are carved out by the demands of work and school: Mark handles the morning chaos while I take on the evenings. Breakfast rolls into brushing teeth, which leads to getting dressed and packing lunches. The after-school routine is predictable too: snack, playtime, dinner, bath, storytime, and bed. Sure, it’s exhausting, but we’ve got it down to a science—unless someone decides to get sick, we sail through it.
But weekends? Oh boy, they bring a whole different ball game. First off, it’s all about negotiations. Who’s taking care of the kids? Are we splitting them up, or will we tackle the chaos together? Trying to make a grocery list while two little boys are engaged in an epic lightsaber battle? Good luck! And which is worse: wrestling two kids through the aisles of a grocery store or vacuuming with a machine that smells like something died in it? Laundry is a mixed bag too; sure, most stuff can go in the dryer, but a few delicate blouses require the mystical touch of teenage fairies to avoid becoming wrinkled messes.
Then there’s the endless to-do list: a trip to the library, a visit to the hardware store for that one thing we need to fix another thing, and of course, checking in with family to see how they’re doing. I’m also planning birthday parties, sending off deposits for summer vacations and camps, returning a wetsuit with a broken zipper, tidying up the kitchen, picking up packages, and preparing meals.
By the time bath time rolls around on Sunday night, I feel more exhausted than a worn-out road sign. Is it just me, or does giving my hefty toddler a bath feel like trying to wrestle a lively Labrador? And as I kneel on the bathroom floor, I can’t help but notice the dusty corners and think about all the chores I didn’t tackle over the weekend, like cleaning the floors or getting that stinky vacuum replaced. Even though life is good—I remind myself that we’re healthy and employed—an overwhelming wave of fatigue and irritability hits me. Is this really what life has come to? Endlessly working through a whirlwind of chores, only to repeat it all again?
And let’s not forget the guilt that comes with realizing that my workweek is often less chaotic than my weekends. My coworkers might have their quirks, but at least none of them have ever decided to have an accident on my lap. No one tries to hit me in the face with a bath toy while I’m rescuing a kid from the tub. Work is generally predictable and calm compared to this.
So, is there a remedy? Honestly, I’m not sure. I just wish that Sunday’s evening routine felt like a victory, a moment to unwind and get ready for the workweek ahead. Instead, it often feels like I’m a soldier being ordered back into battle—exhausted and looking for something to sustain me, wondering if everyone has snacks and dry socks.
But wait, there might be a solution! I call it the “Early-Bird-Special Date Night.” Instead of waiting for a traditional Friday or Saturday night outing, we schedule a babysitter for Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. We leave the house at 5, and she takes care of dinner, bath, storytime, and cleaning up. We enjoy an affordable, early dinner and maybe catch a local band for a while. We let our friends know where we’ll be, and anyone who wants to join can. We tried this last weekend, and it felt like a miracle! We were both excited about it all weekend, and by 4:30 on Sunday, we were showered and ready to go. Plus, we still managed to hit the hay at a decent hour (which is why we’ve never been big on late-night dates—who can stay up late when the kids wake you up at the crack of dawn?). We returned home feeling relaxed and prepared for Monday.
We didn’t do it this past weekend, and I felt the weight of disappointment. So, fellow parents, maybe the secret to conquering Sunday nights lies in this little gem. If you can manage to eat by 5:30, it’s practically a two-for-one deal!
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Summary
Navigating the chaos of Sunday nights can be tough for parents, often feeling more overwhelming than weekdays. The author shares the challenge of weekend tasks and proposes a solution with an “Early-Bird-Special Date Night” to help ease the burden and bring a sense of joy back to Sunday evenings.