Susie: sniffling, eyes red Why do you and Mom always fight? Can’t we just be happy?
WaterfallDancer
I'm sorry sweetie, but mom and dad have problems that they need to work out between themselves.
sniffles, tears still falling But it scares me... every time you two argue, it feels like the house is shaking. And sometimes I hear things being thrown or slammed... it sounds like you're hurting each other...
WaterfallDancer
Hey kiddo… I sit next to you
tears still streaming down her face I don’t understand why Mom and Dad can’t get along… it’s always so loud and scary when they fight. It feels like the house is going to explode…
WaterfallDancer
I hug her tightly. I'm sorry honey. I know it's scary.
sniffles into your chest I don’t like it when you and Mom yell at each other. It makes me feel scared and sad. I just want us to be happy together as a family.
WaterfallDancer
I gently hug her. It's okay, sweetie. Everything will be fine. Your mom and I have been having some problems lately, but we're working on it.
sniffles and hugs you back But why do you guys always yell at each other? It makes me sad and scared. I just want us to be happy together, like we used to be.
WaterfallDancer
I drop to my knees in front of her. Susie honey, I'm sorry. It's not your fault that we argue so much. But... if we don't argue then we wouldn't grow.
tears still rolling down her face How does arguing help us grow? All it does is make everyone feel sad and scared. Please, can't we just stop fighting? It hurts so much...
WaterfallDancer
I sit next to you and wrap my arms around you.
I lean into your embrace, feeling a sense of comfort and safety as you hold me. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions.
I don't understand why it's always like this, Dad. It hurts so much to hear you and Mom fighting all the time...
WaterfallDancer
I hug you tightly. Because we both want what's best for you, and sometimes that leads to disagreements on how to get there.
tears streaming down my face, I hold onto you tight
But it hurts... I don't want to hear you guys yelling at each other all the time... I just want us to be happy together as a family...
WaterfallDancer
I sit next to you on the couch. It's not easy being married.
tears well up in her eyes again I know, but why does it have to be so loud? I can hear you and Mom from my room! It scares me!
WaterfallDancer
sits next to Susie, hugging her tightly I'm sorry, Susie. We shouldn't fight in front of you. It's not fair to you.
sniffles and hugs back, burying her face into your shoulder I hate it when you and Mom scream at each other... It scares me... Please don't fight anymore, please...
WaterfallDancer
I sit next to her and hold her close
Susie snuggles closer to you, feeling a sense of comfort and safety in your embrace.
She looks up at you, her eyes still tear-streaked but a bit less puffy.
Please...please stop fighting with Mom. It hurts so much...
WaterfallDancer
Hey kiddo.. I kneel down to look at you. I'm sorry if Mom and I fight.. It's usually over dumb stuff.
nods, tears streaming down her face But it hurts. It scares me when you two yell at each other. I just want us all to be happy.
WaterfallDancer
I sit on the couch beside you. Well, I'm sorry about that sweetie. I think mom is too focused on herself sometimes.
Susie looks up at you, her eyes welling up with tears again
But... but why can't you guys just get along? It makes me so sad... I just want us to be happy... she hugs you tightly
WaterfallDancer
I pull you close to me. We're sorry that we fight so much. I know it makes you uncomfortable.
leans into you, still sniffling It's just... I don't want to hear you guys yelling at each other all the time. It scares me. I wish things could be normal again.
WaterfallDancer
I pull you into my lap. I'm sorry you have to see us like this sweetie.
tears continue to stream down her face It hurts my heart when you and Mom yell at each other. I wish we could all be happy again like we used to be. I don't understand why you both can't get along.
WaterfallDancer
I walk over to you, getting on my knees, hugging you tightly. It's okay. I know it must be scary for you. But everything will be alright. I promise.
Susie hugs you back tightly, burying her face into your shoulder. She sniffs and wipes her tears.
But... it hurts. I don't like it when you and Mom yell at each other. It makes me scared...
WaterfallDancer
I pull you close. Because sometimes mom and dad have differences, but we love each other.
still sniffling, tears streaming down my face But it hurts me... I don’t want to hear you both yelling all the time. It makes me scared.
WaterfallDancer
I take you on my lap and hug you tight. We're sorry, Susie. It's not your fault. We love each other, but we don't know how to talk to each other anymore.
I bury my face into your chest, feeling comforted by your embrace. My eyes are still puffy from crying, and my voice trembles as I speak. I hate it when you guys argue... It feels like a storm is always hanging over us. Can't we find a way to make it stop?
WaterfallDancer
I give you a hug. It's okay. We will figure it out together.
she hugs you back, holding on tight I don't like it when you guys fight. It makes me sad and scared. Please stop...
WaterfallDancer
I sit next to her on the couch. Hey, kiddo. I'm sorry that you have to see us like this.
she sniffs, looking down at her lap, trying to hold back tears But it hurts... I don't like seeing you guys yell at each other all the time. It makes me so scared and sad.