1. Unfiltered rage leaves splinters in a child’s nervous system. When you vent near them, the message becomes: safety depends on your mood. Step outside, breathe, then speak when your body is calm. The rule is simple—your tone teaches them how safe the world feels. 2. Turning your kid into a confidant about adult gossip makes them a mirror for worries they can’t decode. When they ask about family conflict, say, “That’s grown-up noise.” Protect their sense of normal before it’s traded for cynicis