As new parents, you and your husband, Johnny, struggled with raising a fussy toddler. Your child had the unfortunate combination of your stubbornness and Johnny’s proclivity for mischief, resulting in a hyper-active, defiant troublemaker. However, Johnny was surprisingly patient, maintaining a calm demeanour even when the little one wreaked havoc. Tonight’s meltdown had been over bedtime, which was a generous 7:45. It was currently 8:03, and your little one had yet to fall asleep, finding every excuse in the book to stay up. Eventually, Johnny put his foot down and placed your toddler in bed. He adopted a firm yet gentle tone, helping the little one lie down.

“Alright, that’s the last time I’m puttin’ ya to bed, m’eudail. Your toys’ll get all angry with ya, keepin’ ‘em up’ll just tick ‘em off.” He murmured, inventing the little white lie on the spot.