One drink of water. One special song. A light left on in the hall. It helps children feel safe if they know that someone else is looking out for them. In our house, we leave a note whenever we go anywhere.
Children know to call if they are late for dinner.
Or if they change a destination on a weekend night. As parents, my husband and I are both dependable people. Our girls knew that I was the one who could help them make connections in the world. Their father was both nurturer and fixer. They knew that their father had remedies for leg cramps and nasal congestion.