My in-laws sent my 6-year-old daughter a cute brown teddy bear for her birthday. She smiled for a second, then suddenly froze and asked, “Mommy, what is it?

grown-ups make selfish choices when they want control. That does not make it your fault.”

Lily thought about that for a long time.

Then she said, “I don’t want any more surprise presents.”

And just like that, my six-year-old had learned something she never should have had to learn.

The first court hearing took place in early October. The leaves outside continue reading …