Trina, you summed it up perfectly: "we can’t always choose what happens in our lives, but we certainly can choose how we react." So when we react in a healthy way with our children, we're not only helping them navigate the moment, we're teaching them something about how they can choose to react to life down the road. As a parent, that really motivates me.

Jennifer, you bring up a really important point about how we should want our kids to know about difficult situations before they actually *find* themselves in those situations. To put it off is tempting, but pointless and even dangerous. Just think what would happen if we waited to bring up the topic of sex until after the fact. Sheesh! Regarding your more personal note, that's really interesting that our lives seem strangely parallel. It's comforting to me, too, and it makes me even more excited than ever to see you in a couple weeks. (For those who don't know, Jennifer and I were very good friends more than 15 years ago, and haven't seen each other since. We reconnected a few months ago on Facebook and Twitter.)

Genevieve, I love having your "outsiders" perspective on my post and my relationship with my daughter. Sometimes when you're so close to something, it's difficult to understand it or see it clearly. I often don't feel like Q and I are as close as I'd like—it seems like she's holding back at times—but the way you see this story shines a light of truth on it for me. Thanks for sharing your perceptive thoughts.