You’re traveling. You’re far away. The kids are in good hands. This is your little break.

But do you still need to be on top of it? On top of them?

Yes.

Because they could need you.

Flea, the bassist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, once explained that the reason he quit doing drugs—even though he only did them recreationally when he was on the road—was the thought that his daughter could call him in the middle of the night, could need him emotionally, and he would be unavailable. It occurred to him that even spiritually to be out of it—to be checked out—was wrong.

There’s something to this. When we’re away, we have to, as we said recently, stay on their timeline, still know where they are and what they’re doing. We have to be checked in and connected. We have to know what’s going on. Be reachable. Be clear-headed. Be present—even from a distance.

Because they might need us. And we should always be available for them.