Do you notice that your child will only let one parent get them ready for bed and put them down? If so, you’re not alone! Whether you are the preferred parent who always has to be “on” at bedtime and never gets a break OR you are the non-preferred parent who wants to help but can’t, I know it can feel incredibly frustrating. Parental preference can be a stressful time for the whole family because one parent (typically mom- but not always) feels tapped out and trapped while dad feels helpless and a little hurt that he’s not wanted at bedtime. Day in and day out, this pattern can grow really tiring and is often the spark of disagreements between partners.