Albert Cheng
What Keeps Them Engaged
Inspired by Albert Cheng episode
Albert Cheng on retention metrics—understanding what keeps users coming back. Same question for kids: what keeps them regulated and content?
The real parenting hack? It's not finding that perfect snack or activity. It's knowing what keeps your kid from losing their mind—your retention metrics for a functional human.
Some kids are fueled by sleep. You skip naptime? Congratulations, you've created a tiny, screaming gremlin. Other kids? They need structure like they need oxygen. Miss a transition warning and suddenly you're negotiating with a dictator over which socks are "correct."
Here's the thing: track what actually works. Not what makes them smile for five seconds. What keeps them regulated throughout the day? Enough food? Outdoor time? A specific bedtime routine that if disrupted by EVEN TEN MINUTES causes a complete system meltdown? That's your retention metric right there.
When you have bad days, audit the basics. Skip meals? No outside time? Routine gone sideways? Fix the retention metrics and behavior usually fixes itself. It's not magic—it's understanding what keeps your user engaged.
Your kid's not trying to ruin your day. They're trying to stay regulated on whatever you forgot to provide.
