DH works away 3 weeks and then is home 3 weeks. So I am submerged in solo parenting when he's gone. I established a hardcore bedtime routine with H, and then I nurse her to sleep. It is hard to get her to slip into deep sleep. And it takes at least 45 mins to get her down from when I start nursing her. I know because the Sleep Sheep usually craps out on me right at that crucial moment when I'm lowering her into the crib ( must get all-night white noise machine!)....Tonight, it took almost an hour and a half, and 4 attempts before successfully getting her down.

By the time I came out of the nursery, DH was ready to go to bed and he assumed we'd go to bed together (not to dtd- already got that in today- ha!)...I told him I needed a little time to unwind, as this is what I do every night after my parental duties are done. I like to spend 30 or 40 mins watching something brainless, like Bravo, and have a glass of wine. DH complained that I "can't spend so long getting her down for the night." Because he wants to spend time with me, go to bed together. He understands I need some down time, he just wants us to have it together, while a happy baby sleeps effortlessly upstairs. I told him that is very perfect world! He's just not here, so it always takes some time for him to adjust to our routine when he gets home. But it made me really wish I could please him and get to unwind with him, instead of by myself while he goes to bed alone. I'm just not ready for sleep!

Do you require some winding down each night?