I am troubled by an epic first-world problem that a friend has just shared. The plane she was in had been stalled on the runway. While the plane was parked, the steamy, restricted space of a cramped cabin gradually created an uncomfortable balminess. Overhead were three air vents, no doubt installed to puff a cool breeziness onto each of the three seats below. My friend, seated on the aisle, reached up ...

While we are far from experts on toddler tantrums, there is one principle my wife and I have agreed on in recent days: pick your battles. We want to avoid as many unnecessary power struggles as possible, and preserve our emotional energy for the battles that really matter.