Go to the thing even though it is dull
The assembly, the match, the recital. Children scan the audience, and they are counting.
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Why it lands
Children look for their adult in the room, and the presence or absence is recorded with complete accuracy. The event itself is usually tedious and the performance forgettable, which is exactly what makes attendance meaningful — it cannot be explained by enjoyment. Adults consistently underestimate how much this is noticed, and adults who were not attended to remember that too.
How
Turn up and be visible enough to be found. Say afterwards what you specifically saw, which proves you were watching rather than on your phone. If you genuinely cannot make it, say so beforehand rather than not appearing.
Answer if you want. It changes which ideas are shown first.
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