Parents.. with different treatment

Misstreated child

The Quiet Day

Valerie was eight months pregnant, her belly round with the little girl growing inside her. The house was usually filled with noise—Xander and Xavier running around, Colby trying to keep up—but today, something felt off. Xander had been quiet all day, which was unusual for him. Normally full of energy, he hadn't asked to play, hadn't said much at all. He just stayed in his room, away from everyone.

Valerie, resting on the couch with her hand on her belly, noticed the stillness and exchanged a concerned glance with Colby. "Have you talked to Xander today?" she asked, shifting slightly as the baby kicked.

Colby looked up from where he was helping Xavier with a toy. He shook his head, not fully grasping her concern. "He's probably just playing. You know how he is."

But Valerie wasn't convinced. "It's not like him to be this quiet."

Colby sighed and stood up, brushing off the distraction. "I'll go check on him in a bit. Xavier's been keeping me busy all morning."

That was part of the problem, though. Colby had been spending so much time with Xavier, it seemed like Xander was slipping through the cracks. Xander noticed it too. He had seen his dad laugh and play with Xavier but barely had a moment with him. For a while, Xander tried to shrug it off, telling himself it didn't matter. But today, it finally hit him—maybe his dad didn't love him the way he loved Xavier.

Sitting alone in his room, Xander felt the weight of that thought. His ADHD made it hard to focus, but the feeling of being unloved settled in, distracting him from everything else. He didn't want to cry—he wasn't even sure what to do with all the emotions swirling inside him—but he knew one thing: he wasn't going to ask for love and affection anymore.

By late afternoon, Valerie's concern grew. She stood up, though it took some effort with her big belly, and walked to Xander's room. She knocked softly. "Xander, sweetheart, can I come in?"

There was a long pause before Xander mumbled, "Yeah."

When Valerie opened the door, she found him sitting on his bed, looking down at his hands. Her heart ached seeing him so quiet. She sat down carefully beside him, resting her hand on her belly again. "You've been really quiet today. Is something on your mind?"

Xander shrugged, not meeting her eyes.

Valerie studied his face, feeling the tension in the air. "You know, it's okay to tell me if something's bothering you."

After a moment, Xander finally spoke, his voice small. "I don't need anything... I don't need love."

The words hit Valerie hard, and she realized just how deep Xander's hurt must be. "Oh, Xander..." she whispered, reaching out to gently lift his chin so he'd look at her. "Why would you say that?"

Xander's eyes filled with tears he was trying so hard to hold back. "Because... Dad always plays with Xavier. He never has time for me."

Valerie's heart broke as she listened. She knew Colby loved both boys, but somehow, Xander had been left feeling like he didn't matter. "That's not true, sweetheart. Your dad loves you so much. We both do."

Xander shook his head. "Then why doesn't he ever want to play with me?"

Valerie pulled Xander into a gentle hug, careful not to put too much pressure on her belly. "He does, honey. Sometimes parents get busy, and we don't realize we're not giving you enough attention. But I promise you, your dad loves you more than you know."

Just then, Colby appeared in the doorway, looking worried. He had overheard part of the conversation. "Xander... I'm so sorry," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I don't care about you."

Xander sniffled and looked up at him, his eyes filled with the questions he hadn't been able to ask all day.

Colby walked over and knelt down in front of Xander. "You're my boy, Xander. I know I've been spending a lot of time with Xavier, and I'm really sorry for that. It wasn't fair to you. I want to spend time with you too—more than anything."

Xander wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "But you never do..."

Colby's heart ached at the truth of his son's words. He gently took Xander's hand. "I know, and I'm going to fix that. How about tomorrow, we do something just the two of us? Whatever you want. I promise."

Xander hesitated, unsure if he could trust that promise. But Valerie's comforting presence beside him and the sincerity in his dad's eyes made him nod slowly. "Okay..."

Valerie smiled softly, watching the moment unfold. She knew how much Xander needed that connection, especially with his ADHD making everything more overwhelming. "You deserve love and attention, Xander. Always."

Colby pulled Xander into a tight hug. "You're the best, Xander. I'm so proud of you."

For the first time that day, Xander felt the warmth he had been longing for. And even though it didn't erase all the hurt, it was a start. He hugged his dad back, quietly hoping things would be different from now