No one talks about this enough.

Your biological kids didn’t choose this calling.

But they’re in it.

And sometimes, they pay a price.

The time you used to give them is now divided.

The attention. The energy. The calm house.

They’ve lost things too.

And they might feel confused.

Jealous.

Even angry.

That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

It means they need you to see them, too.

To schedule one-on-one time.

To validate their feelings.

To remind them: “You still matter. I see you. I love you. I’m proud of you.”

Because they’re not side characters in this story.

They’re warriors too.