Parenting

Lenore Skenazy | 1.29.2026 1:10 PM

Heather Bryant, a teacher in Park City, Utah, only learned that a Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) worker had interviewed her three kids after the fact.

"I got a call from the DCFS investigator," Bryant said in a phone call. "I was sitting at work and was absolutely knocked sideways by it. My hand was shaking—I couldn't believe I was having this conversation."

The investigator informed Bryant that someone had called DCFS to report overhearing a conversation between their son and Bryant's middle son. The 8-year-old boys were talking about how Bryant's 12-year-old son had been rough with them during a neighborhood soccer game.

This was labeled "child-on-child physical aggression during play" by the DCFS.  

"We want to reassure you that your children are all clearly well-adjusted," the caseworker told Bryant after going to their schools and asking her three children about........

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