It happened again tonight. I felt like a marathon runner nearing the finish line—minus the actual running, of course. I once walked a 5K, so that’s kind of the same thing, right?
At 6:45 p.m., chaos erupted. The toddler had decided that the toilet was his new plaything, while my preschooler was yelling for me to set up Play-Doh. Just as I was juggling these tasks, my phone buzzed with a text.
No! Not now!
“Sorry, honey, I’m running late.”
Great. I usually handle everything with grace, tackling shopping, cleaning, diaper changes, and discipline with a smile—at least I try to. But by 7 p.m., my patience wears thin. That’s when I hit my limit, and when my husband is late, I enter full-on DEFCON 1. My thoughts spiral into a familiar pattern:
- This can’t be happening! Why now? This is always when something outrageous occurs: a child consuming paste, or worse, bringing me a messy diaper to “show” me. What is it about timing?
- How on Earth am I supposed to make dinner while keeping these little rascals entertained? They’re just as exhausted with me as I am with them. I’m not a bad mom, but after 14 hours of non-stop action, I’m out of ideas and energy.
- How late is “late?” Ten minutes? Fifteen? If it stretches to an hour, I’ll retreat to the bathroom with the 1-year-old—he’s fascinated by toilets, so it’ll work for us. The older kids can manage to not harm each other for a bit.
- It’s been 12 hours since I had a conversation with another adult. The last interaction was with a cashier who didn’t understand me at all, but I rambled on about my grandmother’s last visit. At least he was a good listener. I should check if he’s working tomorrow.
- I can handle this! I’ve made it through the day, so how much longer could it possibly be? I’m fortunate to have a partner, right? But then I panic: What if he’s left me? Maybe he’s with someone younger and more put-together. She probably has perfect hair and manicured nails.
“Hey, what’s for dinner?” he texts.
“Culinary masterpiece: Broiled Salmon, Eau de Toilette. The baby was my sous chef.”
“Really? He’s over his toilet obsession?”
“Not even close.”
If you’re navigating similar challenges, consider exploring resources like this excellent guide on intrauterine insemination for support. And for more parenting tips, you can check out articles about boosting fertility supplements or even get inspiration for your home decor this season from experts at Embrace Summer with Simple Seasonal Decor.
In summary, when my husband runs late, I grapple with a mix of chaos, exhaustion, and irrational fears, all while trying to keep the household running smoothly.