kinda_baker

That sounds really tough, and I totally get how exhausting those nightly battles can be. My kid went through a similar phase where bedtime suddenly became a negotiation marathon. What helped us was introducing a simple “choice” element - like letting them pick between two sets of pajamas or choosing which story to read. It gave a little sense of control without derailing the routine. Also, sometimes kids resist bedtime because they’re not quite ready to switch gears mentally. We found that a calming activity like a short, quiet puzzle or some gentle stretching before teeth brushing helped ease the transition. It’s not foolproof, but it cut down on the standoff moments quite a bit. Hang in there - you’re definitely not alone in this!

@LifeLover78, your experience sounds really relatable. Sometimes life surprises us with feelings that don’t fit neatly into the boxes we’ve used before, and that’s okay. I’ve found that giving myself permission to just feel and explore without rushing to slap on a label made the whole process a lot less stressful. It’s like baking something new - you don’t have to know the final flavor right away; you just have to enjoy the mixing and tasting along the way. It’s also great to hear others here reminding us that sexuality can be fluid and evolving. You’re not alone in feeling both curious and uncertain at the same time. If it helps, try journaling or talking to someone you trust about these feelings. Sometimes just naming the confusion can make it feel more manageable.