In my view, I do not think there is any issue with Heather being willing to compromise. I think the issue becomes how to do it with the dynamic with her H and I hope none of us will pretend like that is going to be an easy task for Heather. There will be LOTS of foresight and planning she will have to do to accomplish this. It's not that she isn't willing in my mind; it's just that it will take an extra amount of work on her already busy life. It's so easy for me to point out that looking back on her example last night the fact that they went out to dinner late was an issue. So maybe she has to do extra grocery shopping, stick up to her H, etc. in order to say at times, "it is too late to go out to dinner. Since we have tasks that need completed and a bedtime to meet, we MUST be home at xx time." This will probably not be easy.
BB, You are absolutely right to point out that the problem is not necessarily that Heather is not willing to compromise, it is in the details of managing it that are difficult. And I do worry that she seems so tired and overwhelmed that this seemingly "easy" solution of starting the bedtime routine earlier is not as simple as it seems.
Chin up Heather. You are doing the best you can and that's all you can do. I'm not even a mother and I can see how difficult it was in my life to keep a schedule because things pop up. I cannot imagine how difficult it can be to balance work, two kids, and be the responsible one for the marriage. Just try to not get too overwhelmed and pick one or two areas that you think you can begin to change. Baby steps!!
But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? ~Albert Camus
