Danny, my husband, used to think he could threaten to leave me if I didn’t give in to his demands for a sixth child. He didn’t know it yet, but I had a plan to show him what it’s really like to raise our five girls by myself.
Danny had always taken care of his family. He was a good worker and ran a successful business. But his need for a son to carry on the family name had become an obsession. He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: “We need to have a sixth child.” I could tell something was wrong because of the way he spoke.
I stood my ground and told him how lucky we were to have five girls. But Danny’s answer hurt: “Don’t kids bring you joy?” “Is it really that hard?” I knew I had to do something because the fear of divorce was still there.
The next morning, I packed my bags and left for the country home where my late mother lived, leaving Danny to take care of our girls by himself. I turned off my phone and stood back to watch him fight to run the house.
The confusion that followed was both funny and shocking. Danny made toast burn, orange juice spill, and had trouble getting the kids ready. He begged me to come back by sending me desperate texts and even making a video of himself on his knees pleading for help.
I got home to find Danny feeling better and saying sorry. He said he would spend more time with his family and help out around the house. I agreed to think about having another child, but only if he kept his word.
Danny changed just like he said he would. He started getting home early, working from home sometimes, and taking on tasks that needed to be done at night. The girls loved that he learned how to braid hair.
Danny never talked about having another child for months. He instead worked on being a present and active dad. Our family did well and was full of laughter and joy.
Danny thanked me while we watched our girls play one night. “For everything,” he said, and his eyes lit up with thanks. I hugged him because I knew we had found our happily ever after.
Our trip wasn’t easy, but it taught us how important family is and how to value each other. Danny learned what it means to be a father and husband, and I learned how to stand up for myself and our girls. We came out of it stronger and ready to take on life’s problems together.
