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I love my mother-in-law. Really, I do. But last night, she committed the ultimate bedtime betrayal—she gave my child sugar right before bed. And now, we have beef.
The Scene of the Crime
It started innocently enough. We were at her house for dinner, enjoying a rare night where everything felt calm. My toddler was full, happy, and (dare I say) looking sleepy—a unicorn moment in parenting.
Then it happened. A tiny hand appeared, clutching a chocolate chip cookie. My mother-in-law beamed. “It’s just a little treat!” she said.
I stared in horror. It was 7:45 p.m.
The Sugar-Fueled Chaos That Followed
Fifteen minutes later, my once-sleepy child was vibrating with energy. He was bouncing off the walls, singing songs at full volume, and attempting parkour off the couch. I tried to wrestle him into pajamas, but he slipped away, giggling like a caffeinated gremlin.
By 9:30 p.m., my patience was gone. By 10:00 p.m., he finally crashed—after 37 bedtime stories and what felt like a hostage negotiation. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law? Sound asleep.
Why This Is Now a Family Feud
I get it. Grandparents love to spoil their grandkids. But bedtime is sacred. Once the nighttime chaos begins, I’m the one dealing with the aftermath—not the person who handed out the cookie and vanished into the night.
What I Wanted to Say vs. What I Actually Said
What I wanted to say: “Are you trying to sabotage me?”
What I actually said (through gritted teeth): “Let’s try not to do sweets before bed, okay?”
She smiled. “Oh, it’s just a little fun!”
The war is far from over.
The Lesson Learned
Next time, I’m bringing my own bedtime survival kit: non-sugary snacks, a firm “no” ready to deploy, and maybe even a small bribe to keep the peace. Because one thing’s for sure—this house will sleep on time, even if it kills me. 😵🍪
