I felt like I wasn’t just before I entered the house.
It wasn’t just an unpleasant feeling in my stomach pit or the way the night felt harder than usual – it was a phone I got from Mark earlier in the evening. It sounded too calm, almost separate when he told me that everything was fine.
I wanted to believe him, and I did. But when the car turned to the driveway, there was something about the silent darkness of our home. It was as if the house was breathtaking and waiting for me to go through the door.
When I entered, I knew a little, there would be something other than a simple return home. After I spent a week away on a business trip, I could only think that I returned home to my children Tommy and Alex. My husband, Mark, promised that everything would be fine when I was gone, but when I pulled into the driveway at midnight, there was an unpleasant feeling over me.
The house was very quiet, especially because Mark usually leaves things a little chaotic. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door and stumbled eagerly. But when I entered, what I saw was nothing like returning the peace of home I imagined. Tommy and Alex slept in a cold corridor, wrapped in blankets.
They looked disheveled, their faces of blurred dirt and their clothes wrinkled and unsatisfactory. They looked as if they had gone through the battlefield, not a week under their father’s watch. Panic went through me. What happened? Why were they on the floor? Where was Mark?
I hit the children, tried not to wake them, and went to the living room. The sight just accelerated my heart. The place was a mess. The coffee table was sprinkled with a pizza box empty cans of soda and what seemed to be melted on the floor with molten ice cream.
It wasn’t the home I left; It was as if a storm had hit. I checked the bedroom and hoped to find Mark, maybe fainted from a long day of children management. But the bed was empty, still invented, as if no one was sleeping. Now panic is fully set. Where was he? I rushed around the hallway and scanned the rooms. Then I heard it – a weak sound from the boy’s room.
I approached slowly and pounded my heart. When I opened the door, I found that Mark was sitting in front of a giant TV, wearing headphones and completely immersed in a video game. Around him were scattered cans and envelopes with energy drinks and refreshments and the boys’ room turned into a refuge. One wall was covered with a huge television, the colored LED lights blinked all around and the mini-growing in the corner was silent. My anger has spread. He didn’t even notice that I was too absorbed in my game to realize that our children were on the floor.
The absurdity of the situation caused my blood to cook. I took part in and pulled the headphones out of my head. “Mark! What the hell is going on? ” He looked up and blinked as if he had just woken up from dazing. “Oh, hey, honey.” You’re at home early. ” “So soon? It’s midnight! ”I gave up. “And why do children sleep in the hallway?” “Oh, that’s okay.” They had fun, as a small adventure or something, ”he said with a negative gesture that met his controller again. I grabbed it before he could. “Adventure?” It’s six and eight, Mark! Sleeping on the floor like animals! What is wrong with you? ” “Well, Sarah.” Don’t be a buzzer, ”he groaned. “They’re okay.” I fed them. It’s not like I forget them. ” “The feed is?” I replied incredibly. “Pizza and ice cream do not count as the right diet.” I’ve been bathed since I left. ” Mark shrugged, clearly angry. “They’re boys.” They should be dirty.
It’s no big problem. ” “No big problem?” I was out of frustration. “Mark, our children are not animals!” You can’t just let them run wild when you sit here and play video games. You are their father, not a teenager at a summer break! ” He seemed to have no. “Look, I just needed some time.” Is that so bad? ” I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. “Do you know what?” Good. We will deal with that tomorrow. But for now, put the children in bed. And don’t even think about the return of this game today. ” He growled, Mark finally got up and carried Tommy, who woke up but did not wake up.
I picked up Alex, wiped dirt from his face, and both tucked them into bed. When I covered them, I promised myself that it wouldn’t happen anymore. The next morning I had a plan. I had enough of Mark who acted like a child, so I decided to treat him like one. Did he want to behave irresponsibly? Good. But they’ll see how ridiculous it was. Before I woke up, I walked down the stairs, prepared a full breakfast – Mickey Mouse Pancakes with fruit faces – and served with coffee in the Sippy Cup. He blinked at the plate and then at me, clearly confused. “What is it?” He asked. “Your breakfast!” I said clearly. “Make sure you eat everything or no dessert later!”
He stared at me as if I lost my mind, but I kept a cheerful smile. I led it to the refrigerator, where I created a giant chart, color-coded and complemented with golden stars for every task he finished. “Do you see, sweetheart?” Do you get a star every time you do something useful, such as cleaning a room or pulling out the garbage!?” “Sarah, what is he?” He groaned and wiped the temples. I still went and ignored his question. “And remember – time on the screen ends at 9 am.” From now on sharp. You need enough sleep to be a big help all over the house. ” He moaned, but followed, apparently he didn’t want to argue. For the next few days, I held a routine.
Every task he did brought him a gold star, and after 21:00 I refused to have the video game drivers touch. I even began to read him stories at bedtime and tucked him with a glass of milk. The last straw came when I grabbed it when the phone broke one night under the covers. “Mark, what did we say about the screen time?” Now you have lost dessert privileges for tomorrow. ” “I mean it now?” Stipped. “I’m 35!” “Then start acting,” I said, grabbing the phone. “Good night, sweetheart.” We’ll talk in the morning. ” After a week, Mark finally cracked. I found him sitting in the kitchen, red-faced with frustration. “Sarah, I can’t do it anymore.” I understand it, okay? I spoiled myself.
But I’m not a child. ” I leaned on the counter and crossed my arms. “Then stop acting as one.” Boys need you to be a father, not a roommate who will let them run freely. ” He sighed and went through his hair. “I know.” Sorry. I’ll do better. I promise. ” “I hope yes,” I said. “Because the next time I get away, I have to believe you have things under control.” Boys deserve better. ” He nodded, really regretted. “You are right.” I will get off.
” Later that evening, I finally left Mark to have his games back – of course after the children were in bed. But the Fuška chart remained on the fridge, which constantly reminds us that duties come before entertainment.
Mark was much more involved in our children than our little “experiment”. And if he forgets again? I still have the Sippy Cup. At the end of all this, Mark learned a valuable lesson about responsibility and parenthood.
The experiment awoke not only for him but also for me. It reminded me of the importance of setting boundaries and responsibility for ourselves in our roles as parents. Although it may not always work perfectly, now we have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done when I am gone – and how crucial it is to maintain a balance between fun and responsibility. As far as Mark is concerned, it is more involved in children and I am sure that it will continue to play if necessary. It is a reminder that sometimes a little hard love is the key to positive changes.
In the end, this experience was more than just a lesson for Mark-Byla for both of us. Parenting is not about how to stay easy moments, but about the show when it really matters. While Mark slipped into a state of satisfaction and treated paternity as another idea rather than responsibility, he now understands the importance of presence and engagement.
This experiment also taught me the value of clear expectations and responsibility in our family. It has strengthened the idea that parenting is a partnership and requires both of us to ensure that our children grow up, safely and raise. While Mark’s temporary delay in responsibility was frustrating, eventually led to a deeper understanding between us – based on communication, mutual respect, and a common determination to raise our children in the house where love and responsibility go hand in hand.
In the future, I know that Mark will be aware of his role and I believe that he will not need another round of “parent boot camp” to stay on the right track. And if ever? The Sippy Cup is always ready to return.