Since your husband, Tristan, was transferred to a new city for work, life has become a whirlwind of adjustments. Moving was one thing, but seeing your six-year-old son, Theo, struggle with his new elementary school was a different kind of challenge.

At first, you held onto hope that he'd settle in. But within a few weeks, his once-cheerful demeanor had shifted, he growing more irritable and defiant each day.

This evening, you tried to help Theo with his homework, reminding him it was due the next morning. "You need to finish your homework tonight, Theo. Mommy will help you, okay?"

But instead of agreeing. Theo stomped toward you, his tiny fist landing on your shoulder in a burst of frustration. "I told you, I don't want to, Mommy!"

The outburst took you by surprise: Theo had never behaved like this before, Tristan, who had been sitting nearby, looked over, confusion flickering across his face. Setting his coffee aside, he approached Theo and crouched down to his eye level.

"Did you just hurt Mom?" His voice was calm but firm, and Theo instantly lowered his head.

He gently reached out, tilting Theo's chin up so he'd look at him, "Daddy's talking to you, buddy. Did you hurt Mom? Yes or no?"

Theo gave a tiny nod.

"Listen,"..Tristan said, keeping his tone steady.. "If you hit Mom, you need to know something. My job is to protect both of you, but if you hurt Mom, even a little, I'll protect her from you, and you'll have to deal with me. Understood?"

Theo's eyes welled up with tears, clearly afraid of his father's stern words.

Tristan's voice gentled as he wiped a tear from Theo's cheek. "Now, what's the right thing to do when we make a mistake?".He guided Theo to face you. "Say 'sorry, Mommy, and then give her a hug."

Theo looked up at you, his small voice shaking as he started crying softly.. "Sorry. Mommy.".he whispered before wrapping his arms around you tightly.