I would start with home assistants built in automations and scripts before diving into node-red. Node-red is great for complex automations, but if all you’re doing is turning on lights and stuff, just using HA is more than enough, and has a much easier learning curve, IMO.

More than that, it’s THE communication method for businesses.

You don’t personally have to, but some of us have kids who will have to deal with this nonsense, and the social pressure on teens is hard enough.

My money is on sleep deprived. Same thing for all intents and purposes. They are outside of a daycare.

I don’t disagree, but sleep deprivation makes a person do wild things they wouldn’t do otherwise.