No noted philosopher is my next youngest brother, but to me he is distinguished for his not-always-quiet wisdom. A few years before the birth of my girls turned my cool single man’s bedroom into a combination nursery, gym and art studio, my brother and I had a conversation about raising kids and having a family.

“They will show you who you are,” he told me. “They’ll bring out the best and the worst in you.” At the time, I considered what he told me, but not with much gravity.