When I asked Đán to turn off his game for dinner, he smacked the iPad against his forehead. I tossed the iPad to the floor and told him not to touch it again. He cried, “daddy,” repeatedly, but I refused to talk to him. I was angry. I just could not stand seeing him self-destruct. What’s next? He would bang his head against the wall if he doesn’t get what he want?

I am so fed up with the constant fighting and bickering between Đạo and Đán. I had to repeat myself like a broken record trying to get them to stop, but they wouldn’t until they punched or scratched each other.

As we were walking on the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey, I told Đạo I wanted to ride the Spring Shot. Đạo replied, “No. The strings will break because you are too heavy. I don’t want you to die.” What a smart and careful boy who always think ahead.

Đán: Do Vietnamese people respect nature?
Dad: Of course, we do.
Đán: Then why did you cut down the trees?
Dad: Oh! My bad.

Dad: So, are you a boy or a girl?
Đạo: I am both.
Dad: How?
Đạo: I act like a boy, but I scream like a girl.

Đán: Daddy, you are illustrated.
Dad: What is illustrated mean.
Đán: It means you don’t know anything.
Dad: I think the word is illiterate.
Đán: I don’t like that word so you are illustrated.

Dad: Đạo, give your brother a hug and kiss goodbye.
Đạo: Bye Đán.
Đán: Bye Đạo.
Dad: You guys are so nice to each other [after Đạo left].
Đán: I still don’t like his ketchup breath.

Dad: What were you doing?
Đán: I was reading a book.
Dad: Really? I heard someone played video game on the iPad.
Đán: I read a book last night. Bà ngoại let me played on the iPad this morning.

Đán: Can I watch TV?
Mom: After you eat your breakfast.
Đán: That what I meant.

Đạo: Daddy, Đán’s being mean to me.
Đán: Daddy, Đạo xạo. Phạt him.
Đạo: No, Đán xạo. Phạt him.
Dad: I am going to phạt both of you.
Đán: No, I don’t want you to phạt me. Just phạt Đạo.
Đạo: No, I don’t want to be phạt. Can you un-phạt me?

As we headed into the elevator, I told the boys, “Let’s leave her here.” Đạo protested, “No. You’re being mean to mommy.” Đán chimed in, “You can’t leave the pretty girl here.”

In late January, we enrolled our one-year-old son in Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool. As with most infants his age, he still cries every morning when I drop him off. Fortunately, his teachers, Ms. Allison and Ms. Mary in particular, have been patience in helping him making the transition. They would pick him up from my arms and try to calm him down. As soon as I walk out the door, he would stop crying and get on with his day.

In the past four months at Teddy Bear, I have observed that the teachers and staff members are friendly and accommodating. They work with us to give our son the comfort and the care he needs during his time at the facility. For example, they would let us know what type of food he likes so we can pack him extra snacks if we want to.

I also appreciate the no-cellphone policy at Teddy Bear. At some daycares, I have noticed that allowing cellphone can be distracting. As much as I would love to see photos and activities of our son during his time at the daycare, I prefer the teachers to focus their attention on the kids.

It will take a bit of time for our son to make the adjustment in the morning drop off, but I have confidence in the teachers and staff members at Teddy Bear. I trust that our son is in loving and caring hands.