It might have been so long that you don’t remember. It might, sadly, be something you have never actually done. Because you find it uncomfortable or boring…or you’re just too busy.

When was the last time you entered their world? Like you actually played with them instead of going through the motions—like you let yourself believe as they do, that this game of little green army men really matters? When was the last time you gave their story about drama at school anywhere near the same amount of uninterrupted attention that you gave the Netflix show you watched after they fell asleep? When was the last time you really followed the rules of their silly fantasy they wanted you to act out?

It’s not just that our kids deserve this—though they do. It’s that you deserve it. Because it’s wonderful. The adult world, especially lately, is terrible, is it not? So why not escape for a bit? Why not enter a world of joy and fun? Why not give yourself—and them—the present of presence?

Show up. Engage. Enter a world different than yours, without the problems of yours, the responsibilities and the cynicism of yours. Go have some fun. Learn something. Be ridiculous. Be surreal. Because one day, they’ll stop inviting you, stop asking you to play. One day, that door will close. And you’ll wish you’d spent more time in it while you still could.

So go now. While the invitation is still there. While the magic is still real.