Unexpected Swap

Elliot stood on the doorstep, holding Benjamin in his arms, watching as the family walked away. The little one observed him with a curious, mischievous look, as if already judging his new caregiver.

Sighing, Elliot stepped inside and glanced around, searching for a place to set Benjamin down. He opted for the couch and, sitting in front of the baby, watched him for a few moments. Then, in a lighthearted tone, he began speaking as if having a serious conversation with someone who could truly understand him.

"So, Benjamin... Looks like it's just you and me today. Well, since my mission is to take care of you, let's make this an adventure. After all, taking care of a baby can't be that hard, right?" he said, crossing his arms and feigning a thoughtful expression.

Benjamin continued staring at Elliot, his eyes shining with curiosity, while his tiny hand went straight to his mouth and then to the couch, leaving a trail of drool. Elliot sighed. Did babies really put everything in their mouths? To distract him, he grabbed some Lego pieces scattered on the floor and handed them to the boy. His heart filled with hope as he watched Benjamin pick up a red piece in one hand and a blue one in the other. Maybe he was nurturing a future construction genius!

But the illusion was short-lived. Instead of connecting the pieces, Benjamin promptly put both in his mouth, chewing on them like a grand culinary discovery. Elliot slumped his shoulders, feeling like a teacher whose first lesson had just failed.

Soon after, he found himself facing a dilemma:

Is it okay to let a baby sit on the couch, drooling on himself and putting toys in his mouth?

The options seemed clear:

A) Yes, because babies explore the world this way. Besides, Claire didn't mention any restrictions, and the toys seemed harmless.

B) Absolutely not! That's not hygienic at all. Who knows where those tiny hands have been? Not to mention the couch, which could be full of dust mites. And what if he tries to swallow the toy? Even worse—what if Claire finds out and blames me?

The decision wasn't easy. If he chose option B, he would inevitably face a bigger problem: crying. And a baby's crying was an unknown force to him, something for which he had never studied a solution.

Still, he chose caution. Picking up Benjamin, he carried him to the bathroom, trying to convince him it was time to wash his hands.

In the bathroom, he gently asked the little one to drop the Legos into the sink. Benjamin, however, tightened his grip and shook his head in a clear "no." Elliot sighed and insisted, explaining that it was for his own good. After some effort, he managed to pull up a small stool so that Benjamin could reach the sink. Finally, he convinced him to let go of the toys and began washing his tiny hands with soap and water.

Up until this moment, Benjamin had been holding back his tears, but Elliot, oblivious to the silent drama, moved on to the next step. He grabbed a child-sized toothbrush from the cabinet, put some toothpaste on it, and asked Benjamin to open his mouth.

The baby frowned and shook his head in refusal. But Elliot had faced stubborn students before. He knew he needed a strategic approach. So, without warning, he started tickling Benjamin's belly. The plan worked perfectly: Benjamin burst into laughter, and in the middle of his giggles, Elliot seized the opportunity to brush his teeth.

It was a fierce battle. Every time Benjamin tried to close his mouth, Elliot gently pressed his cheeks to keep going. But in the end, the baby's emotional resistance reached its limit. He burst into tears.

"Hey, no need to cry! This is for your own good!" Elliot tried to console him, but it was useless.

Benjamin only cried louder. Elliot tried everything: sweet words, jokes, even a made-up song. Nothing worked. Desperate, he resorted to one last attempt:

"Look... if you stop crying, I'll put on Backyardigans for you to watch!"

Silence. Nothing.

"Peppa Pig? SpongeBob? Paw Patrol?"

Benjamin sniffled and, upon hearing the last name, magically started to calm down. Elliot let out a relieved sigh.

"Ah-ha! So you like Paw Patrol! Great, let's watch it right now."

He took Benjamin to the living room and placed him in a large playpen for the living room (as described by Elliot). He turned on the TV and put the show on YouTube. In the blink of an eye, the deafening cries turned into laughter and excited claps.

Elliot collapsed onto the couch, exhausted.

"Wow... I thought a two-year-old wouldn't be that much work. Besides, he behaves like he's still one! I'll have to come up with another plan, or rather, Claire's plan."

He got up and walked to the kitchen, where he spotted a piece of paper stuck to the fridge. It was Benjamin's schedule, written by Claire. He grabbed it and began reading.

Benjamin's Routine – 2 Years Old

Hey, dear! I know taking care of Benjamin wasn't in your plans, but this was my only option today. He's a sweet boy, but he needs a routine to stay happy. If anything happens, text me!

Morning
7:30 AM – Wake-up: He wakes up in a good mood but needs a moment to adjust. If he's fussy, just hug him and wait a bit.
8:00 AM – Breakfast: Porridge or bread with butter and milk. Let him try to eat on his own.
8:30 AM – Diaper change & hygiene: Brush his teeth like a game.

Morning Activities
9:00 AM – Free play: Blocks, cars, drawing (watch out, he eats crayons!).
10:30 AM – Snack: Fruit or biscuits (No whole grapes, please!).

Lunch & Nap
11:30 AM – Lunch: Rice with chicken, mild food.
12:00 PM – Diaper change & rest: Read him a short story to help him sleep.

...

Thanks for taking care of him! I know this isn't your thing, but he loves music, so that's already a point in your favor. Good luck! 🙏💙

Elliot scanned the paper and let out a long sigh.

"Today is going to be a long day..."

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to vote and share your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback helps shape the story and makes the experience even more engaging for you!

But now, the real question is...

🔹 Will Elliot survive a full day following Claire's meticulous routine?
🔹 Can Benjamin's boundless energy be tamed, or is Elliot in for more chaos?
🔹 And is babysitting really his biggest challenge, or is there something else coming his way?

Stay tuned for the next chapter—because sometimes, the hardest tests in life don't come from a classroom!