It's about 5am and you can hear the movements of little feet and bodies roaming the house. It's at this time the real battle begins...in bed...with covers wrapped around each combatant and an extreme bear hug on the pillow. This battle can take place with one eye open or both closed. Each competitor is waiting for the same thing: movement. Any movement indicates consciousness and awareness. The first to reach this is the first to leave that warm bed and deal with the kids. Patience may be a virtue, but in this contest, it's the one weapon that will win the game.

With Father's Day coming up Sunday, maybe it's a given he gets to stay put. But for all the other days, here's the science on Dad's and the bed battle:

  • A survey by DryNites says that 56% of dads pretend to be asleep when their children get up.
  • 44% of dads know if they pretend to be asleep their partner will tend to the kids
  • 10% of dads say their partner is better at dealing with their kids than they are.
  • 30% of dads don't get up to deal with their kids because they have to work the next day.

Of course, this practice by dad's comes with the complimentary excuses. Here are some of the most common:

  • I've got work tomorrow
  • I did it last time
  • They are calling for you, not me (my favorite)
  • You're better at dealing with it than I am.

While it may be a fun topic to talk about, this is a serious issue for many couples. The DryNites survey also showed that 43% of parents have fought over who should get up to deal with a waking child.

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