I direct a local daycare center. Our policy is strict: pick-up is at 6:00 PM, and it's a $2 late fee for every minute past that. At 6:45 PM, a young mother burst through the doors, completely out of breath and wearing hospital scrubs. Her late fee was $90. "I am so sorry," she cried, hugging her toddler tightly. "The hospital was severely understaffed, and they mandated I stay for the shift change. I know I have to pay the fee. Just please don't kick us out of the program. She looked like she hadn't slept in a week. I logged into the billing system, highlighted the $90 fee, and hit delete. I went to our kitchen, packed up three leftover servings of the kids' baked ziti dinner, and handed her the warm bag. "System shows you picked him up at 5:59," I told her with a wink. "Take this home so you don't have to cook tonight." Rules are meant to maintain order, but empathy is meant to maintain humanity.