how he’d turn the TV volume up when she was trying to study in the living room, how he’d make comments about her eating too much or taking too long in the bathroom or leaving her stuff around his house. Every story she shared made my chest hurt worse. I kept apologizing and she kept saying it wasn’t my fault, but we both knew I should have protected her better.
Over the next 3 days, my husband switched tactics completely. The angry call stopped and the text started long paragraphs about how he’d overreacted and he loved our family and he was willing to go to counseling. He said Lily had misunderstood his intentions and he was just trying to teach her responsibility like any good parent would.