Until recently, when we’d go out to eat, both of the kids would clamber over to my side of the table and sit on either side of me if we got a booth. This is usually not what I have in mind when I think of a relaxing lunch. They love her — it was just that they didn’t get to spend a lot of time with me until the weekend. My lovely and talented wife was only slightly annoyed with this at first. But after a while, it began to hurt her feelings. The Girl picked up on this eventually and began giving up her seat next to me so that she could sit next to her mom. Very sweet.

This morning, after breakfast, my daughter (4) sat down and had a heartfelt talk with her brother (2) on the couch. She explained to him that she didn’t think it was fair that he always got to sit next to me when we went out. “You always get to sit next to Daddy and I never do and that’s not fair,” she said. She repeated this in various forms a few more times. He seemed sympathetic. We’ll see what happens.