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.

They know when you're not paying attention. Why are your kids acting up, acting out? Why are they

getting in trouble in a bad mood? Why did they suddenly start doing the thing you specifically

ask them not to do? Because they can tell. They can tell you're not paying attention.

They can see you on the phone. Again, they can see you working. Still, they can tell you're talking about something

interesting that doesn't involve them. They know that you're not just going to be a second. They can

sense you've stopped listening. They can feel your absence, even though you're in the same room.

Kids know this intuitively, and they act accordingly. They respond to the disrespect with disrespect.

They react to the lack of regard with disregard for the rules,

seizing the opportunity to do what they think they can get away with.

Conversely, they can tell when you're present.

They can feel when you're here.

That you're laying in the bed beside them, and it's safe for them to fall asleep.

That you're connected and engaged in the game you're playing together.

That your hands are firmly on the handle of the stroller.

That your attention is locked on the thing they're trying to show you.

As we've talked about before, presence is the key to good parenting.

Everything stems from this.

The house runs smoother.

The interactions are happier.

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