At bedtime, I asked my 5-year-old her favorite present. She said, “Spending the day with you, mommy… maybe without your phone next time.” My heart sank.
I’d taken the day off, went to the zoo, painted mugs, ate ice cream—but I kept checking my phone. She noticed everything. Kids always do.
The next morning, I promised a full distraction-free day. We had pancakes, picnicked under a tree, played on the monkey bars, and laughed until time slowed. “This is my favorite day again,” she said.
Later, a neighbor warned me about a suspicious man outside. Soon, he tried to pick up my daughter from daycare. I realized my online posts had made us visible. I deleted everything, beefed up security, and stayed alert.
A week later, my work shifted to part-time remote. It was hard financially but gave me more time with her. We baked, played, and started “Real Time” evenings—no phones, just presence.
Months later, the man never returned, and our bond deepened. My daughter’s favorite present? “Still you, mommy. But now I get you all the time.”
The lesson: the best gift isn’t bought—it’s time, attention, and presence.