[Her expression turns sympathetic, and she nods.]

I know. It can be terribly overwhelming sometimes. [Then she really has to chuckle at the tone of her own voice, because where does she really get off trying to sound like the adult in this conversation?]

I don't think this is something that many people would have signed up for if they had the choice. But we're here now, so I think we should make the best of any opportunities that we have.