You’re on the other side of the planet. You are absolutely wrecked by the time zone. You are at the most important business meeting of your life, in the middle of some work crisis, or on the cusp of some incredible opportunity.

Do you know where your kids are?

They’re not with you, they can’t be, but you should still know where they are. Are they at school right now? Are they just waking up? Is today the day their favorite game drops a new mod and they’re eagerly playing it? Are they excited about the sleepover this weekend or missing their best friend this week?

You can’t just check out. You can’t just leave that to your spouse or the babysitter. You can’t just get busy with your own stuff and forget. It’s hard to be gone, and you’re busy, but you have to stay connected. Squeeze in a call before dropoff. Send them a text to let them know you’re thinking about them before their game. Don’t lose track of the rhythms of their life—of your life—just because you’re away.

Know where they are. Know what they’re doing. Let that root you, let that keep you even.

Because no matter how important your work is or where you are, the most important thing happening today is still happening at home, in their world.