Imagine coming home to find your child selling your belongings on the street. This happened to me, a divorced mom, when my daughter, Lily, set up a garage sale with my cherished items, including my engagement ring.

Pulling into the driveway, I saw Lily proudly displaying my AirPods, earrings, and ring. “Mommy, I’m having a garage sale!” she beamed, waving ten-dollar bills. Shocked, I asked why. “Daddy said he has a lot of work to do and needs money,” she explained, thinking she could get rich to spend more time with him. Mark, Lily’s dad, had joked about needing money to spend time with her, not realizing she took it seriously. Lily had tried to solve the problem herself, believing money could bring her dad closer.

I called Mark, explaining the situation. He was stunned and promised to fix it. The next day, he reassured Lily, saying, “Daddy didn’t mean for you to sell your things.” They bought back the sold items, and we spent the day together, focusing on clear communication and being present for Lily. Mark and I realized our words and actions deeply impacted Lily. We committed to better communication and making time for her, prioritizing her happiness. Despite our differences, our love for Lily remained strong, teaching us the power of presence and family.

Do you agree that family comes first and our children’s happiness means the world to us?