Nine months pregnant, Eloise was feeling overwhelmed. The nursery was ready for the baby, except for the crib, which had been sitting unassembled in the corner for weeks. Every time she asked her husband Tom to put it together, it was “tomorrow,” but tomorrow never came. Eloise felt more alone than ever. The crib wasn’t just a task; it was a symbol of the partnership she felt was slipping away.
Exhausted and frustrated, Eloise decided to assemble the crib herself. She struggled with the heavy box, her back aching, but she pushed on. Halfway through, as she wrestled with a particularly difficult piece, Tom walked in. He gave a casual glance at the half-assembled crib and said, “Good job. Why did you ask me to help if you can do it yourself?” Eloise’s anger flared, but she bit her tongue. His comment only deepened her sense of isolation.
By the time she finished, Eloise was drained. She sank to the floor, tears welling up. This should have been a shared moment between them, but instead, it only reinforced her feelings of being unsupported. That night, lying in bed next to Tom, Eloise realized it wasn’t just about the crib—it was about their entire partnership. She needed him to be present and dependable, not just when it was convenient for him. If things didn’t change, their future as parents and partners would be in trouble.
The next morning, Eloise hatched a plan. She wasn’t the vindictive type, but Tom needed a wake-up call. Eloise told him she was too tired to help with preparations for a small get-together before the baby’s arrival and asked him to handle everything. Tom, distracted by his phone, shrugged it off, confident he could manage. Little did he know, Eloise had set him up to experience the stress she had been enduring.
Eloise spent the day resting, while Tom scrambled to get everything together. He quickly realized he was woefully unprepared for the tasks ahead. He rushed around, trying to pick up the slack, but things were quickly spiraling. The clock was ticking, and he was falling behind.
By the time guests arrived, Tom was a mess. The decorations were half-done, and there was no sign of the cake. Eloise watched as Tom floundered, feeling a sense of justice. Then her mother-in-law arrived and gave Tom a disappointed look. Eloise remained silent, letting Tom deal with his mess.
When it was her turn to speak, Eloise addressed the room. “I just wanted to say how much it means to me to have you all here,” she began. “It’s been hard getting ready for the baby, especially since I’ve been doing most of the preparations myself.” She shared how she had assembled the crib alone, despite being pregnant, and explained how important it was for both partners to share the load in marriage and parenthood. Tom shifted uncomfortably, and his mother sighed, disappointed in him.
After the party, Eloise and Tom sat down at the kitchen table. Tom looked exhausted. He apologized, acknowledging that he hadn’t realized how much he had left on her shoulders. Eloise, feeling both relief and sadness, explained that she needed to be able to rely on him—on all things, not just the big ones. She couldn’t carry everything alone.
Tom promised to do better, to be more present and dependable. Eloise, though moved by his sincerity, made it clear that this was his chance. “Don’t waste it,” she warned.
Eloise knew that change wouldn’t happen overnight, but this moment was a step in the right direction. If Tom was serious about his promises, they could build a more balanced, supportive partnership—one where both of them shared the responsibility of their growing family.
