Do you ever find yourself thinking that weekdays are a stroll in the park compared to weekends? From Monday to Friday, the daily rhythm is set by the work and school schedule: Dad handles the morning hustle while I take on the evening routine. Breakfast leads into brushing teeth, which then flows into getting dressed and packing lunches. School pickup means snack time, playtime, dinner, bath, storytime, and bed. Sure, it’s exhausting, but we’ve got it down to a science—unless, of course, someone throws up.
But weekends? That’s a different story. They kick off with a series of negotiations. Who’s on kid duty, and how do we split them up? Can you even think about making a grocery list when two little boys are wailing like banshees and launching light sabers at you? Is it tougher to navigate grocery shopping with two kids in tow or to vacuum with a machine that smells like a burnt diaper? Laundry? Sure, most of it can be tossed in the dryer, but some items require delicate care, needing the magical touch of adolescent fairies. Ironing? Yeah, right.
Then there’s the library trip, a stop at the hardware store for that elusive item to fix another item. I check in with family members, plan and shop for birthday parties, and send off checks for summer vacations and camp deposits. I return a wetsuit with a broken zipper, clean the kitchen, pick up a package from the post office, and whip up a couple of meals.
By the time bath time rolls around on Sunday night, I’ve seen roadkill with more energy than I possess. Perhaps it’s because bathing my toddler feels like wrangling a lively Labrador. Or maybe it’s the sight of the bathroom corners, which remind me of all the chores I didn’t tackle this weekend—like cleaning the floors or getting rid of that wretched vacuum. And even though life is mostly good (I keep reminding myself: We’re healthy! We have jobs!), a wave of exhaustion and irritation washes over me. Is this really my life? Work hard all week, navigate a course filled with library fees, toddler toenails, and spackle, and then repeat?
And let’s not forget the guilt that comes with the realization that weekdays often feel easier than weekends. My coworkers may have their quirks, but no one drops a surprise on my lap. I’m not lifting the copy editor out of the tub while she pelts me with bath toys. Generally, things are calmer and more predictable in the office.
Is There a Remedy for This Sunday Night Struggle?
Maybe. I wish that final evening routine after a family outing or grocery shopping felt more like a victory, or at least like a moment to unwind and get ready for the week ahead. But instead, it often feels like a drill sergeant is barking, “Get up, soldier! Belgium by dawn!” and I’m dragging myself up, gulping down some questionable water from my canteen, wondering, “Does everyone have dry boots and a snack?”
Here’s a thought: I call it the Early-Bird-Special Date Night. Rather than opting for a Friday or Saturday date night where the sitter arrives at 7:30 PM and leaves at 11:30 PM, we’ve shifted to having the sitter come from 5 to 9 PM on Sunday night. We leave the house at 5, and she takes care of dinner, bath, storytime, and cleaning the kitchen. We enjoy an early, budget-friendly dinner and catch some live music for an hour or two. We let our friends know where we are, inviting anyone who wants to join. Our Early-Bird-Special Date Night kicked off last weekend, and it felt incredible—we looked forward to it all weekend and at 4:30 PM on Sunday, we showered and kissed the kids goodbye. We still managed to crash at a reasonable hour (which is why we’ve avoided typical date nights—who can stay up till midnight when the kids wake at 4:41 AM?). We returned home feeling happy and relaxed, ready for Monday.
We didn’t pull it off this past weekend, and I found myself feeling down and irritable. So, fellow parents, this might just be the fix for the Sunday night blues. If you can have dinner by 5:30 PM, it’s like getting two-for-one!
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In summary, embracing a new Sunday night routine can transform your experience and help you tackle the week ahead with renewed energy.
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