At nine months pregnant, Eloise was tired—physically, emotionally, and mentally. But more than anything, she was tired of waiting.
For weeks, the unopened crib box had sat in the nursery, collecting dust and resentment. Every time she asked her husband, Tom, to put it together, the answer was the same: “Tomorrow.”
But tomorrow never came.
What seemed like a simple chore to Tom felt like something much heavier to Eloise. That crib wasn’t just furniture—it was a promise. A symbol that he was ready to step into fatherhood, into partnership. But each day that passed without progress chipped away at her faith in him.
Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands
So one evening, as her due date loomed and her patience ran out, Eloise dragged the box across the room. Her back ached, her belly strained, and her hands trembled—but she kept going.
Piece by piece. Screw by screw.
And halfway through, Tom strolled in, relaxed and clueless.
“Good job,” he said with a smirk. “Why’d you ask me to help if you could just do it yourself?”
The words hit her like ice. No recognition of her exhaustion. No acknowledgment of her tears.
She didn’t respond. What was there to say to someone who didn’t understand the weight behind the wood and bolts?
The Wake-Up Call
That night, as Eloise lay awake next to a snoring Tom, her mind raced. The crib wasn’t the real issue—it was his assumption that because she was strong, she didn’t need support. That being capable meant she could carry everything alone.
She knew something had to change. So, she devised a plan.
The next morning, she feigned exhaustion.
“Tom,” she said gently, rubbing her back, “I think I need to take it easy today. I’m just really drained.”
He barely looked up from his phone. “Sure, babe. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.”
“Actually,” she added, “I invited a few friends and family over tomorrow. Just a little get-together before the baby arrives. Could you handle the rest? The cake, the decorations, everything?”
Tom shrugged. “Yeah, yeah. How hard can it be?”
He had no idea.
Planned Chaos
Eloise spent the day resting while Tom lounged, completely unaware of the storm he’d soon face. The next morning, she let him sleep in… just a little too late.
He shot out of bed in panic, realizing nothing was ready.
“Where’s the cake order?!” he muttered to himself, rummaging through papers. “Where are the decorations? The chairs?”
By the time guests arrived, the house was a mess. Decorations were half-done. The snacks were thrown together. And Tom? He was a wreck.
His mother pulled him aside and asked pointedly, “What’s going on here, Tom?”
The Lesson Lands
As the party progressed, Eloise stood up and spoke calmly.
“It’s been tough getting ready for the baby,” she said. “I’ve done a lot of it on my own. Including assembling the crib—just a few days ago, while nine months pregnant.”
Silence fell.
Tom’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Later, after everyone left, he finally broke.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t realize how much I was leaving on your shoulders.”
Eloise looked at him, her voice quiet but firm.
“I need to be able to count on you, Tom. I shouldn’t have to do this alone.”
He nodded. “I’ll be better. I mean it. I’m here now. For real.”
She gave a cautious nod. “Then don’t waste this chance.”
The Aftermath
Tom began to show up—really show up. And in the end, Eloise believed that the lesson stuck.
Because sometimes the harshest truths come not through arguments, but through lived experience. Through quiet demonstrations of strength.
Eloise didn’t teach him through words.
She taught him by building a crib with aching hands and a breaking heart—and showing him what partnership should look like.