Saoirse was all tucked into bed, the room dark and quiet. She’d asked me to come back in for another hug.
“Mom, I try not to misbehave.”
“I know, sweetie. I can see that you’re trying. It’s hard.”
“I try to stop, but I can’t. How do I stop, Mom?”
She was holding my hands with both of hers.
“Well, honey, I think maybe sometimes you should try to just take a deep breath and be still for a moment. That might help you calm down.”
“It’s hard. I don’t want to misbehave…I know. When I do, I should have a glass of milk, or water. That will help me.”
“Okay, that sounds good. Should we do that, then? Next time, stop to get a glass of milk?”
“No. I won’t misbehave anymore.”
She kissed me, the dropped my hands to roll over, pulling her covers up to her chin, cuddling Blanket.
“Mom? I love you.”
In the evening after the first day of school, Cian made an announcement. “I’m…
Note: I’ve been struggling a lot with writing about my kids as they…
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