Welcome to the Daily Dad podcast, where we provide one lesson every single day to help you with your most important job, being a parent.

I'm Ryan Holiday, and I draw these lessons from ancient philosophy, modern psychology, practical wisdom, and insights from

parents just like you all over the world. Thank you for listening, and we hope this helps.

It's piling up. It doesn't seem like much. You did have to check your phone. It was easier to hand

them an iPad.

You got caught up gossiping with a neighbor. There was a work thing that took you out of town.

You didn't want to attend another soccer game or recital. You were distracted, as we said,

by anxiety, by that thing you were worried about. You were just hurrying them along, trying not to be so

inefficient. But it adds up that time we turn away, the moments we reject, the family time we could

have had. At some point, certainly at the end of our lives, but also at the end of their childhood,

we would do anything for more of it. We would kill to be out in the hot sun at a swim meet.

So grateful for the chance to endure all of it, even if their race only lasted a few seconds. We'd trade anything if we could just

pick them up again, hear that sweet, high-pitched voice again, but they're too big now. They've

outgrown it. You'll be so mad at yourself for rushing through, for rushing them, for turning them

away. Well, you have it right now.

You have them right now and use it. Show up for it. Be grateful for it. You won't have it forever.

And that is actually my Tempice Bugit medallion. I try to hold it when I'm fidgeting or recording

a podcast. The idea is that time flies, and the front of the coin has that.

It's got, you know, an hourglass with wings.

Time flies.

And on the back are two reminders, I think are critical for parents that grow up so fast and that all time is quality time. In a world of constant distractions and unlimited

obligations, everything is competing for our time and attention. And I think this is just a great

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