SEAN (quiet, to himself):

It’s funny.

You hear people complain about their kids—or hell, even just kids in general. Like they’re a burden. Like every mess they make is a personal attack. “She tried to pee in the tub again.” “He won’t shut up about frogs.” “They always want attention.”

Yeah. No shit.

You ever think maybe they’re just trying to figure out how the world works? Maybe they’re throwing pebbles at your windows, hoping you’ll come look instead of locking the door.

I used to think yelling fixed things. That if you barked loud enough, they’d stop. And maybe they do. But not because they understand. Not because they feel seen.

They just… learn to stop showing you the parts you don’t clap for.

And then one day, you realize you don’t know them anymore.

So yeah. When Hunter says something weird, I listen. When Brody tries too hard to be cool and messes it up? I laugh with him. Not at him. And I let him see me laughing.

Because if they’re brave enough to be messy around me—then I better be kind enough to meet them in it.

That’s all.