When my 4-year-old daughter, Emma, began drawing dark pictures at school, I became worried. She had always been such a bright, happy child, but recently her behavior had shifted. After her teacher, Mrs. Silverton, informed me about the changes, I knew I had to talk to Emma.

That evening, while making dinner, I gently asked her, “Sweetheart, why have your paintings at daycare become so dark? What happened to happy Emma?”

For a moment, she didn’t answer. She twirled her fork through her noodles, her silence worrying me even more. Finally, in a quiet voice, she said, “I found Daddy’s secret.”

My heart sank. “What secret, honey?” I asked, trying to stay calm.

CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE

Advertisement: