In the quiet corners of family life, three households face a version of the same ancient question: whether honesty or comfort should guide the choices we make for those we love. Slate's Care and Feeding column this week holds a mirror to the tension between protecting children from pain and preparing them for a world that will not always cooperate. From genetic inheritance to a frozen goldfish to a young man navigating new family obligations, the column suggests that the easier path — the one that sidesteps discomfort — is rarely the one that serves anyone well in the long run.