As parents, we often underestimate how much our presence means to our children. In the middle of work calls, household chores, and the thousand little tasks that make up daily life, it’s easy to assume that our kids are absorbed in their own world—playing, watching, or quietly resting. But time and again, they show us that they are not just aware of us, but deeply tuned in to our presence.

The other night, while putting my daughter to bed, I casually mentioned that I hadn’t had dinner yet and would eat after they fell asleep. What she said next stopped me in my tracks:
“But who will look after us when you’re eating?”

That one question reminded me just how much our physical and emotional presence grounds our children. What felt like a simple choice—delaying dinner—was a moment of uncertainty for her. It wasn’t about food. It was about security. Reassurance. The comfort of knowing that someone is there, watching over them.

To us adults, presence may seem passive. We might think, I’m just sitting next to them while they play, or I’m only folding clothes while they color. But to a child, that quiet companionship is a powerful signal:
“You’re not alone. I’ve got you.”

In a world that’s constantly buzzing and shifting, children look to us as their anchor. Even our silence is loud with love. Even our stillness is deeply felt.

So if you’re ever wondering whether it really matters that you sit beside them while they drift off to sleep, or stay close while they build their blocks, or simply pause what you’re doing to look them in the eye when they speak—know this:

It matters. You matter.
Your presence is their peace.