He was Asleep by the Time I Put my Phone Down

Dedicated time with our kids matters more than we often admit. It’s not about how many hours we log but how present we are in the moments we share. Put the phone away, let the child choose the activity or the topic, and follow their lead. When we hand them the keys to the moment, we show that their thoughts and feelings matter. This kind of focused attention builds trust, fosters curiosity, and creates memories that outlast any screen-lit distraction. Be there—fully—and the small, steady acts of presence will shape them in ways quantity alone never could.