Tucking in my 9-year-old daughter recently, I said, “Good night, Olivia.” “Good night,” she replied, not looking up from her book. “I love you,” I said. “I love you,” mumbled Olivia. “That didn’t sound very sincere,” I said. Still without looking up at me, she said, “Sincerely, Olivia.” Then she smiled.

Jeff Korenstein / Waltham