The Hard Truth About Time
I love my son.
He is the light of my life.
He motivates me to work harder, to be a better man, and to do more to make the world a better place.
Everything I do, I do with him in mind.
And like most parents, I work hard to provide for him—to put food on the table, keep a roof over his head, and give him the best life possible.
But here’s a hard truth:
Many of us work so hard to provide for our kids that we forget to actually be present with them.
We exhaust ourselves trying to give them “the best life,” but in the process, we miss the moments that matter the most.
And the worst part?
They notice.
They Learn Faster Than You Think
Children are always watching.
From the moment they wake up to the moment they go to sleep, they are:
- Absorbing everything around them.
- Observing how people act and react.
- Learning cause and effect—if I do this, then that happens.
And what do they learn when you spend all day at work, come home exhausted, and just want to sit on the sofa?
You may think:
“I work so hard because I love them.”
But what they see is:
“Dad never has time for me.”
And eventually, they stop asking.
They stop asking you to play.
They stop asking for your attention.
They stop expecting you to be present.
Not because they don’t love you.
But because they’ve learned that you’re unavailable.
Your Kids Need More Than Just Provision
Providing for your children is a duty—but it’s not the only one.
They don’t just need your money—they need your time.
Many men assume that being a good father means working hard, making money, and securing their family’s future.
And while financial stability is crucial, it’s not enough.
Because your child won’t remember:
The long hours you worked.
The stress you endured.
The sacrifices you made.
They will remember:
The nights you spent reading to them.
The times you took them on little adventures.
The effort you made to be fully present in their lives.
And those memories?
They will shape your relationship forever.
The Solution: Be Intentional With Your Time
1. Build a Routine of Presence
Children thrive on consistency.
Make spending time with them a non-negotiable part of your daily or weekly routine.
- Pick a time and stick to it.
- Show up fully—no distractions, no half-hearted attention.
- Make them feel like they are your priority.
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
20 minutes of playing ball.
A short bedtime story every night.
A Saturday morning breakfast ritual.
The specifics don’t matter—but the commitment does.
2. Keep Your Word—ALWAYS
Your word is your bond.
And when you break a promise to your child, it damages their trust in you—even if they don’t show it.
If you say you’ll play catch on Saturday—do it.
If you promise to come to their school event—show up.
If you commit to a family night—make it happen.
If you’re unsure whether you can follow through?
Don’t promise in the first place.
This teaches them two things:
That honesty matters.
That they can always trust you.
And that foundation of trust will last a lifetime.
3. Be Mindful of the Bigger Picture
You only get 18 summers with your kids before they grow up.
That’s 18 chances to make memories.
18 opportunities to shape their childhood.
18 years before they start their own lives.
Each summer completely different from the last.
You don’t get those years back.
So ask yourself:
Am I making the most of the time I have with them?
Or am I letting excuses, distractions, and exhaustion steal moments that could become lifelong memories?
Your Kids Are Watching—What Will They See?
Your children don’t learn from what you say.
They learn from what you do.
If they see you prioritizing time with them, they learn:
“I am valued.”
“I am important.”
“My dad is someone I can count on.”
But if they see you constantly absent, distracted, or too busy?
They internalize the belief that they don’t matter.
And that belief stays with them for life.
Are You Ready to Lead by Example?
If you’re serious about:
Balancing work, family, and personal growth
Becoming the father and leader your children deserve
Mastering discipline and mindfulness to make time for what matters
Book a Free Consultation Today and Start Leading with Purpose.