First of all, thank you so much for reading this. I really appreciate your time and input.

No matter how hard we try, how patient we are, we’ll inevitably go to bed feeling that we should somehow have done more or done better.

I think every parent out there can relate to this. And as I said that things will go sideways... They are bound to!
But your words are kind of a reassurance that I'm doing ok. We keep second guessing every little decision when it comes to our kids. I did feel a little uneasy after sharing that tit for tat advice, but yes you are right. She will eventually learn from her own experiences. All we can do is support them.

We’ll always miss the time when that precious child, no larger than our hands sleeps happily on our chests. We… the protectors.

Ah! Such was the time...