The Baby Expert: February 2014

I’ve always wondered what would happen if the wife were to leave for a few days and put me in charge of the toddler at home. Would the household descend into total chaos? Would I party all night? Would the baby turn on me? I can now answer all three of those questions with a definitive ‘no.’

Over the Chinese New Year break, the wife went with her family on a five-day trip to Japan, leaving behind me, Caitlyn, and my parents. She had been flip-flopping over this matter for some time because she was worried about what would happen while she was gone. In a nutshell, she didn’t think I was equipped to shoulder all the responsibilities that come with taking care of a toddler. But the deciding factor was the fact that my parents would be at home to help out helpless old me.

Jobs were handed out and fingers were crossed. My mom was put in charge of cooking, my dad in charge of keeping Caitlyn entertained, and I everything else.

Thankfully, all five days passed by quite uneventfully. The house was kept clean. Clothes were washed, hung dry, and folded. Bellies were kept full. Crying wasn’t even a real issue. Every now and then, Caitlyn would think of Mommy and start crying, but that wouldn’t last long once you got her distracted.

My biggest fear was bedtime. Caitlyn is used to the wife putting her to bed and sleeping with her until she falls asleep. Any attempt by me to get involved results in fits and tears. There was also the fact that she sometimes wakes up screaming and crying in the middle of the night, to which only the wife can settle her down.

However, bedtime actually turned out to be my favorite part of the day. Surprisingly, there was no resistance from Caitlyn. I suppose she was resigned to the fact that Mommy wasn’t going to magically appear to save her. At least not this time.

Normal bedtime routine these days include a couple of stories that Caitlyn asks the wife to make up about people she knows. It was no exception with me. What would crack me up were the questions that she would ask during my stories or comments that she would insert in. After a final story, she would then snuggle down next to me to fall asleep. And I, too tired to do anything else, would also fall asleep along with her. Let me tell you, it was the best feeling in the world.

Unfortunately, now that the wife is back, Caitlyn is back to giving me the cold shoulder during bedtime. Ah, well. At least I'll have those few nights to cherish for the rest of my life.