Later, you might get a phone call. Later, you might come down with something—they might come down with something. Later, it might get dark sooner than you think or colder than you think. Later, the event might sell out or the thing discontinued. Later, they might not want to anymore. Later the opportunity might not exist.

So if you can do it, you should do it now.

Jump in the pool, now. Show them that funny clip you saw, now. FaceTime with your parents (or nieces or nephews or siblings) now. Squeeze in that trip to the park now. Squeeze in that family trip before the school year starts. Get down on the floor and wrestle with them now. Tell them that story now. Give them that little surprise you got them, now.

Later is never guaranteed, the Stoics remind us. One of the most moving stories we tell in The Daily Dad (keepsake leatherbound and signed copies available—learn more here) is about the adventurous day that Franklin Roosevelt spent with his children before the latent polio virus suddenly did its horrors to his body that night (from “This Could Be That Day,” the December 28th entry). You have the opportunity with your kids right now. They are offering you their hand, their interest, their time, their love, now.

Take it. While you can.