My Kids Were Sleeping in the Hallway — The Shocking Bedroom Transformation My Husband Pulled Off While I Was Away

I Came Home to Find My Kids Sleeping in the Hallway — What My Husband Turned Their Bedroom into While I Was Away Made Me Feral

When I returned home from a week away, I found my kids sleeping on the chilly hallway floor, which was an odd and uncomfortable sight. With my heart racing, I looked for answers, only to discover that my spouse was gone and that strange noises were coming from the kids’ room. What I discovered next made me enraged and prepared for combat!

After spending a week away on a work trip, I must admit that I was eager to return home. Tommy and Alex, my boys, were most likely bouncing off the walls in anticipation of my arrival.

A week seems like an eternity when you’re six or eight years old. Mark, too? I assumed he would be happy to return the reins to me. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a fantastic father, but he’s never really been the responsible one—rather, he’s always been the fun parent.

It was midnight and I couldn’t help but smile as I pulled into our driveway. At this horrible hour, the house was silent and dark, as it should be.

With my suitcase in hand and my keys jingling lightly, I tiptoed to the front door.

The lock swung open, and I entered, prepared to give in to sleep. However, something was… off.

I froze when my foot struck something soft. I scrambled toward the light switch, heart racing. I nearly cried out when the hallway lit up.

Like a couple of puppies, Tommy and Alex were curled up on the floor, entwined in blankets. Though they were sound asleep, their hair was sticking up in all directions and their faces were smeared with filth.

“What the hell?” With my head racing, I muttered. Had a fire broken out? A gas escape? Why had they not gone to bed?

I slipped passed them, not wanting to wake them until I understood what was happening. There were pizza boxes, soda cans, and what appeared to be melting ice cream on the coffee table in the living room, which was a complete mess. But Mark was nowhere to be seen.

I was walking to our bedroom with my heart thumping around in my chest. void.

Even though it hadn’t been slept in today, the bed was still made. Where was Mark? His car was in the driveway.

At that point, I heard it. A quiet sound, coming from the boys’ room, but not very loud. I crept over on tiptoe, my mind racing. Was Mark injured? Had some crazy person broken in and bound him?

I slowly opened the door by pushing it open, and…

“What. The. Actual—” Recalling that the children were right down the hall, I bit my tongue.

Mark was standing among empty energy drink cans and snack wrappers with his headphones on and a controller in his hand. And that wasn’t even the most absurd aspect.

The boys’ room had been converted into a virtual paradise for gamers. One wall featured an enormous TV, there were LED lights all over the place, and that thing in the corner looked like a mini-fridge, I’m quite sure.

With my mouth hanging open, I watched as the anger inside of me erupted like a volcano about to erupt. Mark was too preoccupied with whatever game he was playing to even notice me yet.

I lunged forward, snatching the headphones from his head. “Mark! “What in the world is happening?”

He gave me a confused blink. “Hey, sweetheart. You arrive home early.

“Initial? Midnight has arrived! Our kids are sleeping on the floor; why is that?”

With a shrug, he reached back for his controller. “Oh, no worries. The lads were content to sleep outdoors. They perceived it as an exciting journey.”

I grabbed hold of the controller. “A journey? Mark, they’re not camping! Their bed is the filthy floor of our hallway.”

Sighing, “Come on, don’t be such a buzzkill,” he attempted to reclaim the controller. “Everything is in order. I’ve been providing for them, etc.

“Providing for them? Do you mean the ice cream and pizza cartons in the living room? With each phrase, I could feel my blood pressure rising. “How about taking a bath? or, I’m not sure, their beds themselves?”

Mark rolled his eyes. Sarah, they’re all right. Relax a little.”

At that point, I snapped.

“Get brighter, please? LIGHTEN UP? Our kids are in their room playing video games, and you are sleeping on the floor like animals! What’s wrong with you, exactly?

“I’m not flawed in any way,” he scowled. “I’m merely attempting to spend some time by myself. Is that really so bad?

Trying not to scream, I took a big breath. “What do you know? For now, this is not what we’re doing. Head over to the lads’ beds. Right now.”

“But I’m in the middle of—”

“NOW, Mark!”

With a sigh, he stood up and shuffled by me.

Tommy twitched a little but remained unconscious as I saw him pull him up. I couldn’t help but notice how similar the two appeared as Mark took him to bed: a real child and the man behaving like one.

I picked up Alex, a little saddened by the filth on his face. Just as I was putting him to sleep, I decided. I would treat Mark just like a child if that’s how he chose to behave.

I followed through on my plan the following morning.

I crept into Mark’s man cave, which he had built, and unplugged everything while he was taking a shower. I started working after that.

I was ready for him with a big smile as he came downstairs, his hair still wet. “Happy morning, my love! I prepared your breakfast.

He gave me a wary glance. “Uh, thanks?”

I placed a plate before him. A Mickey Mouse-shaped pancake with a fruit-based smiling face was positioned in the center. It was a sippy cup of coffee.

Asking, “What’s this?” as he prodded the pancake.

“Dumbfounded, it’s your breakfast! We have a busy day ahead of us, so fill up now!”

I showed off my creation, a massive, vibrant chore chart that I had painted on the refrigerator, after breakfast. “Look what I made for you!”

Mark’s gaze expanded. “What the hell is that?”

“Language!” I chastised. It’s a chore chart just for you! See? If you tidy your room, do the dishes, and put your toys away, you can win gold stars.”

“My playthings? Sarah, how are you doing?

I interrupted him. “Yeah, and remember! There’s a new house rule now. Cut off all screens by precisely 9 p.m. That also applies to your phone, sir!”

Mark looked from bewildered to irate. “Are you serious? I’m an adult; I don’t require—”

“Ah, ah, ah!” I gave a finger wag. “No arguing, or you’ll have to go to the timeout corner!”

I stood by my principles over the following week. I used to unplug his game system and turn off the Wi-Fi every night at nine.

I even read him “Goodnight Moon” in my most calming voice and put him to bed with a drink of milk.

His food was presented on plastic plates with little gaps between them. I gave him animal crackers for snacks and sliced his sandwich into the form of a dinosaur. I used to tell him things like, “Use your words, honey,” when he grumbled. Big boys never complain.”

One major area of disagreement was the task chart. I used to make a big show of awarding him a gold star every time he finished a chore.

“Look at you, doing the laundry by yourself and putting it away! “Mom is very happy!”

“I’m not a child, Sarah,” he would murmur, gritting his teeth.

In response, I would say, “Of course not, my dear.” Who wants to assist in making cookies now?”

After a week or so of my little experiment, I reached my breaking point. After having an argument about his two-hour screen time limit, Mark had just been sent to the timeout corner. I quietly set the kitchen timer while he sat there furious.

He erupted, “This is ridiculous!” “I’m a grown man, for God’s sake!”

I arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Regarding that, are you certain? For the reason that adult men do not force their kids to sleep on the floor so they can stay up late playing video games.”

He began to lose steam. “All right, I understand. I apologize.”

I looked at him for a while. Although he appeared sincere in his regret, I wasn’t going to spare him when I still had one final blow to deal.

I answered gently, “Oh, I accept your apology.” “But I’ve already called your mom…”

He lost all of his facial color. “You didn’t.”

The knock on the door came just in time. When I opened it, I saw that Mark’s mother was inside, looking much like a frustrated parent.

“Mark!” she yelled as she strode inside. “Did you really make my sweeties sleep on the floor so you could play your little games?”

Mark appeared to wish that the floor would split open and engulf him. “Mum, that’s not the case… Really, I didn’t.”

Her expression softened as she turned to face me. “Oh Sarah, how I regret that you had to handle this. I believed that I had raised him more properly.”

I gave her an arm pat. Linda, it’s not your fault. It’s just that some males take longer than others to mature.”

Mark had a blazing red face. “Please, mom. I am thirty-five years old.”

Ignoring him, Linda turned back to face me. “Alright, don’t worry. I have freed up my next week’s schedule. I’ll quickly get this youngster back in shape.”

I met Mark’s gaze as Linda hurried to the kitchen, murmuring under her breath about the condition of the dishes. He appeared completely defeated.

“Sarah,” he murmured. “I really apologize. I acted carelessly and selfishly. It won’t take place once more.”

I grew a little softer. “Yes, honey, I understand. But I need to know that you’ve got things under control for when I’m not around. Instead of another playmate, the boys require a father.”

He gave an embarrassed nod. “You’re accurate. I swear, I’ll do better.”

I kissed him quickly and grinned. “I have no doubt that you will. Why don’t you go assist your mom in doing the dishes now? Perhaps we might have ice cream for dessert if you perform well.”

I couldn’t help but feel a bit smug as Mark walked off to the kitchen. I hoped I learned my lesson. And in the event that it wasn’t, I still had that timeout area prepared and waiting.