My wife was sitting next to me, enthralled to her iPad, and my 3-year-old kid was coated in red paint as I hurried out of the shower one night to the sound of his sobbing. I quickly discovered a more serious problem that threatened to split our family apart, leaving me feeling frustrated and perplexed.

It began as any other night would. As usual, my wife was scrolling through her iPad while relaxing in her recliner. I thought it would be ideal to have a leisurely shower when the kids were supposed to be in bed.

I heard a faint cry as I stood beneath the hot water. I initially thought it was just a little whimper and ignored it. However, the sobbing became more intense and louder.

“Daddy! Daddy!” The sound of the running water was interrupted by my son’s voice.

I hurried to his room after turning off the water and grabbing a towel. My wife was still absorbed in her iPad as I walked through the family room, apparently oblivious to the mayhem that was taking place.

“You were unable to soothe him?” With a stronger tone than I meant, I asked.

“I tried three times,” she said bluntly, without even raising her gaze.

That was it. No urgency, no worry. It was only a casual comment. Despite my growing aggravation, I rushed to our son’s room to console him.

I couldn’t have been prepared for what I discovered. My son was sobbing so hard that he was sitting up in bed. He blurted out, “Daddy, I made a mess,” in between sobs.