Ethan was always quirky, but his latest rule — limiting us to just two showers a week — pushed me over the edge. A gifted programmer with an obsessive mind, he suddenly became fixated on our water usage, even cutting off the hot water mid-shower if I went over the limit. The rule turned our home into a battleground. I was frustrated, confused, and ready to move out. That’s when I visited his mom and shared everything. Her response changed everything.

She led me to Ethan’s untouched childhood bedroom. Inside were environmental books, globes, and charts — all from his late father, an environmental scientist who believed in extreme water conservation. Ethan’s obsession, I learned, was rooted in grief. He had never processed his father’s death and was desperately trying to carry on his legacy.With this understanding, we started therapy. Slowly, Ethan worked through his grief, and the shower rule was lifted. Our home became peaceful again — not because we won the fight, but because we finally understood what we were really fighting for.