A Visit From Child Protective Services Changed How I Parented My Teens

“Child Protective Services was just here looking for you,” my husband said. Marty, a curly-haired, real estate lawyer with a great sense of humor, had been waiting for me in our lobby as I returned from the park pushing our sons in their double stroller.

“Ha-Ha – very funny,” I answered.

“No, seriously,” he said. “I thought it was Joe’s idea of a joke,” he continued, referring to a prankster friend. “But they left a note with the doorman.”

My smile faded. Our rambunctious toddlers, Justin and...