The Battlefield of Marriage in the Sound of a Baby's Cries

The days of raising a child alone are like an “extreme challenge” with no halftime break. Those moments called the “gates of hell” conceal the breakdowns and perseverance of countless moms (and dads). Anyone raising a child alone has probably run into some of these moments, at least once:

1. The “two-front battle” at mealtime

You’ve just coaxed the little one into the high chair and turned around to heat up some food when a scream rings out behind you. He’s smearing baby food all over his head, and the high chair is a mess. You finally manage to hold him still and get a couple of bites into him, but your own food has gone cold. You can only wolf down a few bites while he grabs a toy, choking as you eat. Worst of all, just as you pick up your bowl, he suddenly starts crying and demanding to be held. You’re carrying a little “bomb” in your arms, standing amid food scattered all over the floor, with half a mouthful still in your mouth. Even your breathing is out of control.

2. The “endless loop night” with a terrible sleeper

At last, you get him to sleep and tiptoe over to lie flat. Before you’ve even touched the bed, he wakes up crying. You pick him up and pat him for half an hour, but five minutes after you put him down, he starts fussing again. This goes on until three or four in the morning. You stare blankly at the ceiling, feeling completely drained, yet still have to brace yourself for his first “good morning” at dawn. If he gets sick, you hold him all night and use physical methods to bring down his fever. By daybreak, you look in the mirror at your panda eyes and messy hair, without even the strength to force a bitter smile.

3. The “survival drill” of going out alone

You want to take the little one to the supermarket, but just getting ready feels like packing for a trip: diapers, wet wipes, a change of clothes, a bottle, snacks… The diaper bag is stuffed to the brim. When you head out, you have the child in one arm and the bag in the other, while also watching out for him reaching for…