Do you hear me?

You held on, and you kept your brother safe, and when you needed help, you called me.

That is exactly, exactly what you were supposed to do.

You are the bravest kid I have ever known, and you have nothing — nothing — to be sorry for.”

I have thought so much, since, about that apology — about the fact that the very first thing my exhausted, frightened nine-year-old did when her father came through the door was try to say she was sorry — because it is a window into something that took me a long time to fully understand, and that every parent should understand.

A child who apologizes for needing help has already been taught something terrible.