Hailey began asking permission before taking a snack.

She stopped inviting friends over unless I was home.

Twice, I came home to find her sitting silently in her room because Brenda said she needed time to reflect on her behavior.

I asked what she’d done.

“Nothing,” Hailey said once.

Brenda heard and corrected her.

“Children don’t always understand consequences.”

I told myself a new family needed time to settle.