The Six to Nine Shift
I don't know where the time goes.
It’s 8:47 when I started writing here.
I have been trying to write since 6:47 but…six-year-olds.
By the time I got home tonight the child was already bathed in PJ’s so at 5:55 after dessert the child put her Crocs on to go outside.
BW told her to take the shoes off - it’s late and time to go to bed.
As the official advocate for the child, I suggest to BW that maybe as much as we want a night to ourselves it is just a tad early in mid-July to get her to bed. Besides, she has a ritual;
She plays with the dog. And wanders aimlessly around the back yard talking to her imaginary friends or just sorting out the thoughts in that pretty little head. We sometimes get a good half an hour out of this so of course I’m like hell yeah - go outside! This gives me time to get the dishes sorted and start on tidying up 1
She comes in and we make her lunch together. She’s more interested in the accessories like the pudding and cookies rather than the entree (mac and cheese) and this doesn’t surprise anybody. We decided that there was no room for vegetables for tomorrow and she’s okay with that too.
By this time, BW has said “Screw it - I’m going to bed” and leaves the child and I to our own devices. In a perfect world we would lie in the be together and have fun and giggle and try not to make too much noise because Mommy’s sleeping. (spoiler: we made a lot of noise)
Then I go shower and hope she’s asleep when I get out. She’s not.
This results in more “I’m scared”, and huggie requests which I dole out and then close the door. goodnightiloveyou.
I hear activity upstairs but I try to ignore it but then the footsteps find me and tell me that when she was petting the dog that the dog licked her.
“Yes, that’s awesome” I tell her. Now go to bed.
I had hoped that would be the end of it and I could get an earlier start to the writing but nope. Now it’s the water bottle. She’s thirsty and wants me to help with the lid. That’s fair, so I help with the lid.
As she turns to go up the stairs she tells me that she’s done bothering me and that was the last time.
You’re not bothering me - you’ve been awake for 13+ hours and pretty much all of them have been with you moving non-stop - and in the heat too. Your body needs rest.
I think she’s finally asleep. I don’t hear any more noises upstairs.
I’m thinking BW was on to something with the 5:55 bedtimes because I don’t know how it took the next 3+ hours to get her to bed but it did. It’s as if she doesn’t want to go to bed because she will miss the fun.
I hate to break it to you child, but there’s no fun. It’s a random Wednesday and your mother has already gone to bed and you should take the hint too.
Now for the last time: goodnightIloveyou.
Until Next Time,
TH and Co.
I am the tidy husband after all.