Hey everyone, I’m 8 months pregnant and super excited about our little one coming soon, but there’s a challenge: my husband Mark’s relentless nighttime eating. Every night, he raids the kitchen, eating everything, even meals I’ve prepped for the next day. It’s exhausting to wake up and find no food, then have to cook again or run to the store.

We’ve talked about it, but he laughs it off, suggesting I make more or stash snacks. Last Thursday, I made a big batch of chili, hoping it would last a few days. At 1 AM, I found Mark eating nearly all of it. His solution? “Why don’t we just make more tomorrow?” I hit my breaking point when he ate my lunch lasagna.

I called my sister in tears, and she suggested talking to his mom. Mark’s parents visited, with his mom cooking meals labeled “For Mom-to-Be Only” and his dad installing lockboxes in the pantry and fridge. That night, Mark found himself locked out of the stash, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Linda, his mom, had a heart-to-heart with Mark, making him understand how his actions affected my health and our baby. Things improved after that. Mark stuck to the new rules, became more considerate, and even started helping with meals.

Our relationship strengthened, and we learned to tackle issues head-on. As we wait for our baby, we’re a stronger team, ready for parenting with love, humor, and a few well-placed locks.