I know how easy it is to believe that constantly reaching out—texting, calling, apologizing—is a sign of love. But what I’ve seen, both personally and in working with moms, is that chasing often sends a very different message. It can quietly communicate that our need for our child’s approval is greater than our own self-respect. And that shift, from love to need, changes the entire dynamic of the relationship in ways we don’t intend.




































































