A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Middle Of The Night Comfort (Kids)
Define “middle of the night” as you see fit, because when daylight savings time hits, you may think of this as the “way too early to be morning” card that leaves you dog-tired and at your wits’ end. (It’s amazing how just one hour can do so much damage!) Bad dreams at 3 a.m., cries of “I can’t sleep!” just when you’re curled up in bed to watch TV, and help with trips to the toilet for that stomach bug going around are all in this cardholder’s hands. As one woman explained it, “When my husband has middle-of-the-night duty, I refer to this as the ‘Don’t call Mom’ card!”
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
The kids wake up in the middle of the night
Planning
- Making yourself available for your children following bedtime routine, including:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Middle of the night feedings
- Night terrors
- Bed-wetting
- Researching, creating a plan, gathering input from partner about sleep training
Execution
- Executing plan for sleep training
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
Do your kids have consistent access to a designated parent if middle-of-the-night issues arise?
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- It’s a Daily Grind: relentless and time-bound. Make sure each of you holds a fair share of these, ideally one from each suit.
- The holder owns all of it: noticing, planning and doing. No “just tell me what to do.”
- Agree the Minimum Standard of Care together, then let the holder meet it their way.
- Not working? Bring it to the weekly check-in and re-deal it. Don’t take it back mid-week.
Put this card on your table
Deal it, agree its standard, and see who holds what. Free.