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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I thought it wouldn\u2019t be a problem to leave my spouse with the kids for a week. I returned home to find my sons sleeping on the chilly, unclean hallway floor.<\/p>\n
Heart fell. Something was odd. Was there fire? A flood? My hubby would have said no.<\/p>\n
Turning off the light, I cautiously walked over the lads and entered the home.<\/p>\n
Entering our bedroom was vacant. My hubby left at midnight? That\u2019s odd.<\/p>\n
I then checked the boys\u2019 room, expecting the worst.<\/p>\n
The sounds were muted as I neared. I quietly opened the door to observe what was going on without turning on the light. I gasped when I saw Mark with headphones on and a controller surrounded by empty energy drink cans and food wrappers in a low light. Not the craziest part.<\/p>\n
Gamer utopia had been created in the room. A huge TV filled up one wall, LED lights were everywhere, and I think the corner monster was a mini-fridge.<\/p>\n
Mark wasn\u2019t paying attention to me since he was too into his game.<\/p>\n
I removed his headphones. \u201cMark! What the heck is happening?<\/p>\n
He glanced at me, \u201cHi babe. You arrived early.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly? Midnight! Why do our kids sleep on the floor?<\/p>\n
He grabbed his controller. Oh, no problem. The boys enjoyed sleeping outdoors. They considered it adventurous.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stole the controller. An adventure? Mark, they\u2019re not camping! \u201cThey sleep on our dirty hallway floor!\u201d<\/p>\n
He tried to get the controller back, saying, \u201cCome on, don\u2019t be such a buzzkill.\u201d The situation is under control. I fed them and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Feeding them? Pizza boxes and ice cream in the living room? Every phrase raised my blood pressure. What about baths? Or their actual beds?\u201d<\/p>\n
Rolling his eyes, Mark. Sarah, they\u2019re OK. Lighten up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then I went crazy.<\/p>\n
\u201cLight up?\u201d Lighten up? Our kids sleep on the floor like animals while you play video games in their room! Your problem?<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing\u2019s wrong with me,\u201d he huffed. I want some alone time. Is it so bad?<\/p>\n
I tried not to scream. \u201cYou know? We\u2019re not doing this. Put the boys to bed. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, I\u2019m in the middle\u2014<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, Mark!\u201d<\/p>\n
Grumbling, he stood and shuffled passed me.<\/p>\n
Alex\u2019s grimy face broke my heart as I picked him up. I decided as I put him to bed. I would treat Mark like a kid if he wanted to.<\/p>\n
My plan went into effect the next morning.<\/p>\n
I sneaked into Mark\u2019s man cave and disconnected everything during his shower. Then I worked.<\/p>\n
I greeted him downstairs with a huge grin. Good morning, sweetheart! I prepared breakfast!\u201d<\/p>\n
He regarded me curiously. \u201cThanks?\u201d<\/p>\n
I presented him with a fruit-smiley Mickey Mouse pancake. A sippy cup held his coffee.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d he poked the pancake.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour breakfast, silly! We have a huge day, so eat up!\u201d<\/p>\n
My large, colorful task sheet on the fridge was my masterwork after breakfast. \u201cLook what I made for you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark\u2019s eyes expanded. \u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLanguage!\u201d Scolded. \u201cYour own chore chart! See? Clean your room, wash the dishes, and put away your toys to get gold stars!<\/p>\n
\u201cMy toys?\u201d Sarah\u2014what are you?<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Cut him off. Do not forget! We changed our home rule. Shut off screens by 9 p.m. That includes your phone, man!\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark\u2019s expression became bewildered to enraged. \u201cYou kidding me? Grown guy, I don\u2019t need\u2014<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, ah!\u201d Waving my finger. No arguing or you\u2019ll go to timeout!<\/p>\n
I persisted the next week. Each night at 9, I turned off Wi-Fi and unplugged his game system.<\/p>\n
I put him to bed with milk and read him \u201cGoodnight Moon\u201d in my soothing voice.<\/p>\n
He ate on plastic plates with little partitions. I made dinosaur sandwiches and animal crackers for him. I told him, \u201cUse your words, honey,\u201d when he protested. Big lads don\u2019t complain.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chore chart was contentious. Every time he finished a job, I gave him a large gold star.<\/p>\n
Look at you, putting away your clothing alone! My mom\u2019s proud!\u201d<\/p>\n
He grumbled, \u201cI\u2019m not a child, Sarah.\u201d<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cOf course not, sweetie. Anyone want to bake cookies?<\/p>\n
My experiment broke down after a week. Mark had been sent to the timeout corner for yelling about his two-hour screen time restriction. He sat furious as I set the kitchen timer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is ridiculous!\u201d he shouted. God, I\u2019m a grown man!<\/p>\n
Raised eyebrow. \u201cOh? Are you sure? Because adult men don\u2019t let their kids lie on the floor to play video games all night.\u201d<\/p>\n
He sagged. Okay, I understand! Sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n
I regarded him. Even though he seemed sorry, I wouldn\u2019t let him off the hook when I had one more blow.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I accept your apology,\u201d I answered pleasantly. \u201cBut I called your mom\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The color left his face. \u201cYou didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
A knock at the door came on time. Opening it revealed Mark\u2019s mother, looking every bit unhappy.<\/p>\n
She marched inside the home shouting \u201cMark!\u201d \u201cDid you really make my sweeties sleep on the floor for your games?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark seems to want the floor to devour him. Mom, it\u2019s not\u2026 I did not\u2026<\/p>\n
Her expression softened as she faced me. \u201cOh, Sarah, I\u2019m sorry you had to deal with this. I thought I raised him better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patted her arm. \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Linda. Some lads grow up slower.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beet red was Mark\u2019s face. Mom, please. My age is 35!\u201d<\/p>\n
Linda ignored him and faced me. Do not worry. My schedule is clean for next week. I\u2019ll mold this guy quickly!\u201d<\/p>\n
I caught Mark\u2019s eye as Linda ran to the kitchen, complaining about the dishes. He looked hopeless.<\/p>\n
\u201cSarah,\u201d he whispered. I\u2019m sorry. I was careless and selfish. It won\u2019t repeat.\u201d<\/p>\n
I softened. \u201cI know, honey. I need to know you\u2019re in charge while I\u2019m gone. Boys need fathers, not playmates.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nodding, he looked embarrassed. You\u2019re correct. I pledge to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n
I grinned and kissed him. Yes, you will. Why not assist your mother wash dishes? If you perform well, we could have ice cream for dessert.\u201d<\/p>\n
I felt triumphant as Mark walked to the kitchen. I hope I learnt. In case of failure, I had a timeout corner ready.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I thought it wouldn\u2019t be a problem to leave my spouse with the kids for a week. I returned home to find my sons sleeping on the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n