Once two become three – or more – things that you never before thought of as a currency or bargaining tool becomes just that.
Sleep is one of them.
For many of us, so many fights and bitter exchanges of words or snarky passive aggressive comments become about sleep – or more so the lack of it or who is getting more of it – once you have little people living in your house.
The things is, though, while you would think that once you are two people who both have helped out create the children, the task of caring for them and getting up with them in the morning, is something that should be divided 50/50, very often, too many, it is not.
And this discrepancy is that American dad Dale Partridge just called out – in one powerful Facebook post.
When this dad looks at his stay-at-home-mum wife, he seems to see what many men may not. Because although his wife does not bring in a monetary income, Dale not only recognises the priceless value of all the things she does daily but also understands the amount of effort it takes.
"She spends all week serving me and the kids. I spend all week serving the bills. Most men think it's a fair trade, but I doubt it," Dale shared on Facebook this week along with a touching photo of his wife and child. "Husbands, we are no more entitled to a restful weekend than our wives."
In his note, Dale is urging other men to remember that the 40-hour workweek is a cultural standard and that does not mean they shouldn't share in their partner's burdens.
"The badge of 'breadwinner' doesn't authorise us to escape our home duties come Saturday and Sunday. The luxury of rest is a gift many men steal from their wives each weekend," Dale wrote. "It's okay to rest, God even commands it, just make sure you're not the only one doing it."
Now, parents, what do YOU make of this? How is rest divided in your house? Is it fair and 50/50 or are you living with a "sleep thief"? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @Herfamilydotie
